Manila will soon have Koreatown

President Rodrigo Duterte welcomes Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Han Dong-Man at the Malacañang Palace on 18 November 2019. (PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

South Koreans are currently among the top tourists visiting the Philippines, and the Korean envoy vowed to bring in even more.

South Korea Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man made the promise in his courtesy call to President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Monday.

“Last year, around 1.6 million Korean tourists visited this wonderful country, so I made a promise to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to bring up two million Korean tourists during my term,” Han said.

In turn, Han asked the President to ensure that South Korean tourists are safe while traveling around the country.

“When I met him, I promised to bring two million Korean tourists, and I also asked him to secure the safety and security of our Korean nationals,” Han said.

Han emphasized he was “very happy” to witness “the dropping crime rate” under Duterte’s strong leadership.

The envoy also estimated that more than 500,000 Filipinos will be visiting Korea this year, compared to last year’s 450,000 visitors.

He said he had simplified the visa process by issuing five to 10-year multiple visas to facilitate people-to-people exchange.

Koreatown Los Angeles, California at night.

Meanwhile, Han said the growing popularity of Korean pop, drama, food, and other products in the Philippines may soon give rise to a Koreatown in Malate, Manila.

“In Manila, in particular in the Malate area,there are many Korean restaurants and many Korean tourists visit there. So, with Manila city, we are envisioning to make Malate area as a Koreatown,” Han said.

Han said the Korean Town would be a project of the Korea Retailers Association and the Manila City government.

Han said he has met with Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno.

“No timeline, so when I met the mayor of Manila city, I asked also him to render his full support to make Malate area a Koreatown,” he added.

Han also described as “wonderful” his relationship with Philippine universities such as the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila, which provide Korea language programs to help improve Philippine-Korea ties.

Duterte and Han’s meeting came before the President’s scheduled visit to South Korea to participate in the commemorative summit between Southeast Asian leaders and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Busan on 25 to 27 November.

This year, the Philippines and Korea celebrate 70 years of diplomatic ties. (PNA)