16 December 2005 -- President Roh Moo-Hyun of the Republic of Korea (ROK) leaves today for Seoul after a successful three-day state visit that started on 14 December 2005.  Returning the state visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to Seoul in June 2003, President Roh’s meeting with President Arroyo was their second.

President Roh was accompanied by his key ministers led by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ban Ki-Moon, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy Lee Hee-beom and Minister of Information and Communication Chin Dae-je.  After an expanded bilateral meeting participated in by the two Presidents and members of their official delegations, the meeting produced the following agreements:
 
    · RP-ROK Social Security Agreement.  This agreement aims to cover pension, retirement, disability and death benefits of Filipino workers in Korea as well as Korean workers in the Philippines.
    ·Project Arrangement and Loan Agreement in the amount of US$ 22.3 million for the Widening of the Gapan-San Fernando-Olongapo Road and Emergency Dredging Project, which includes the widening of the GSO road, reconstruction of the Santa Cruz Bridge and pilot dredging works on the Parac-Gumain River.
    · Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Mineral Resources, which involves the exchange of data and information on mineral resources, facilitating joint ventures and establishment of a joint committee.
    · Partnership Agreement between the Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy and the Philippine Energy Regulatory Commission in establishing and operating a regular council that will promote cooperative exchanges in the electricity regulation area.
    · Memorandum of Understanding on Mining Industry Development between Korea Mining Promotion Corporation and the Philippine Mining Association, which involves cooperation and joint development between the Philippines and Korea through exchange of mining information.
    · Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Information Communications Technology (ICT), which involves the development and exchange of ICT among business, research and educational institutions, government policy and regulatory agencies and other organization of the Philippines and Korea.

The two heads of state also discussed matters of interest to both countries in the fields of Korean investments in the Philippines’ energy sector, specifically in tapping potential alternative fuels and investments in the construction industry.  President Arroyo, in addressing President Roh’s concerns on Korean investments, informed President Roh that she has instructed the Department of Trade and Industry to put up a one-stop-center for foreign investments.  The two Presidents also acknowledged the increasing number of Korean tourists in the Philippines.

President Roh was also invited to speak at a luncheon hosted by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry after which the two Presidents went together to attend the official launching of the Northrail-Southrail Linkage Project.  The two Presidents also attended the inauguration of the Information Technology Center in Quezon City.

President Roh also met with the veterans of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) that included former President Fidel V. Ramos.  END