The Philippine government is planning to open a consulate in Busan, South Korea, as it seeks to further strengthen economic and people-to-people ties with the country, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

DFA Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega disclosed the plans during the Korean National Day.

“Recognizing the growing potential and opportunities for broadening our relations across a variety of sectors, the Philippines will soon establish a consulate general in the vibrant and exciting city of Busan with the aim of further enhancing our economic and social ties with the southern regions of Korea,” she said.

“With this, we are bound to achieve more mutually beneficial goals in the years to come,” she added.

The upcoming opening of the Philippine Consulate General in Busan is expected to provide a strategic boost to the Philippines’ efforts to attract more South Korean tourists– its top source market for foreign travelers– to visit the country.

The development comes a year after the two nations elevated their relations into a strategic partnership.

Over the past years, economic ties between Manila and Seoul have also grown, especially with the signing and entry into force of a free trade agreement last year.

South Korean investments into the Philippines alone reached PHP72 billion in the first half of 2025 while “many high-end infrastructure and business projects,” including the HD Hyundai Subic Shipyard Facility, are underway, said Korean Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa.

Philippine-South Korean engagements have also expanded into a broad range of areas, including maritime, defense, tourism, and culture.

“Together, Korea and the Philippines are indeed glowing brighter with friendship, and it is not only shining gold but enduring,” Lee said.

Formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea were established on March 3, 1949, when the country became the fifth country to recognize the Republic of Korea. This was cemented by the deployment of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who helped defend the South throughout the Korean War in the 1950s.

In the same reception, the Korean Embassy in Manila honored two war veterans– Florendo Benedicto and Rodrigo Erenio.

“Seventy-five years ago, the invaluable role by the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) marked the true beginning of Korea-Philippine relations. These brave soldiers were among the first to come to Korea’s aid under the UN Command and their sacrifice laid the very foundation of trust between our two nations,” Lee said.

“Over seven decades, this friendship has grown from strength to strength,” he added. (PNA)