Daven Tamayo

New book highlights 100 years of Korean history in the Philippines

Article (news)

100 years

Carmelle Lacuata

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176658283912120251224121256_100.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>A special book project about the 100 years of Korean history in the Philippines, was launched on December 19, 2025 at the Korean Embassy in Taguig. Photo courtesy of UP Korea Research Center (UP KRC). </div>MANILA — A recently launched book chronicles 100 years of Korean history in the Philippines, shedding light on the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and South Korea.The book project, spearheaded by the United Korean Community Association in the Philippines, focuses on the century of Korean migration to the country. It highlights how Koreans first went to the Philippines in the 1920s, as well as the enduring ties between the two countries.Titled “100 Years of Korean History in the Philippines,” the book also presents the roots of Philippine-Korea relations, as it features the sociocultural involvement by Korean communities in the Philippines, the role of Korean-Filipino families, as well as narratives of senior Korean members, former Korean ambassadors and others.In his congratulatory message published in the book, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Sang-hwa Lee highlighted the legacy of the Korean community in the Philippines, as he expressed gratitude to the Filipinos for their help during the Korean War, as well as for their friendship, which is key to the enduring ties between the two countries.Among the core authors and members of the editorial team are Jaeheung Byun, the board president of UKCA, Dr. Dongyeob Kim of Busan University of Foreign Studies, and Dr. Kyungmin Bae of the University of the Philippines Korea Research Center. Both Kim and Bae are educated in the Philippines, as alumni of UP Diliman.Although written in full Korean, the book is expected to play a vital role for the Korean community, as well as for students and academics who are interested in the topic. It is also expected to be beneficial for the future generations, both Filipinos and Koreans, to understand the history of Korean migration to the country.

A recently launched book chronicles 100 years of Korean history in the Philippines, shedding light to the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and South Korea.

A recently launched book chronicles 100 years of Korean history in the Philippines, shedding light to the longstanding friendship between the Philippines and South Korea.