VM Labella Cites Significance of Opening Korean Consulate in Cebu

Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgar Labella has cited the significance of the opening of the Korean consulate in Cebu.

“For us, Cebuanos, the opening of this consulate has importance and significance because the Republic of Korea and the Republic of the Philippines are both republican in form of government; from the people, by the people and for the people,” Labella said.

The consulate, located on the 12th Floor of China Bank Building at the Cebu Business Park, started its official business on Wednesday.

Labella said there are many things that Koreans and Cebuanos love in common — soap operas and telenovelas.

“This consulate will give Cebuanos and other people in the Visayas the opportunity to have more cordial relationship with the Koreans,” Labella said.

“Consul General Lee Ki-seog asked for our support. We will not only support the Koreans, but also assure their security and safety while they are here in Cebu,” Labella said.

Lee said there are at least 35,000 Koreans in Cebu alone and around 400,000 in the entire country.

Labella said the presence of Koreans in Cebu has generated employment and business opportunities as well as government revenue, thus contributing to economic growth.

Lawyer Augusto Go, the former Philippine honorary consul to South Korea, said his being a consul to South Korea will stay with him for the rest of his life.

Go’s services as honorary consul ended last November 2014 when South Korea decided to put up a consulate in Cebu.

Go said the Koreans are generous, as proven by their response when super typhoon Yolanda hit the country in 2013.

Korea sent a warship with more than 300 soldiers to Cebu and Leyte, and built houses for the disaster survivors for a year. (PNA) FFC/EB