Garcia, Magpale support Korean consulate in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale both welcomed the suggestion of Cebu Korean Association, Inc. vice president Charlie Shin to establish a Korean consulate in Cebu.

The province’s two top officials took into consideration the huge influx of Koreans in Cebu.

Department of Tourism’s records show that South Korea is the country’s largest foreign tourist market with 740,622 visitors translated as 21 percent of the recorded 3.52 million foreign visitors who dropped by the country last year.

A total of 429,569 Korean visitors visited the country from January to June this year, registering a 28.76 percent growth over the same period last year.

Garcia said that Japan and China took cognizance of the importance of Cebu by putting their respective consular offices here.

“I think it would really be a most welcome development if a consulate would be set up right here with the government of South Korea,” Garcia said.

Although South Korea Honorary Consul Augusto Go is very helpful, Magpale said there really is a need to put up a consulate in Cebu because of the growing number of Koreans here.

Shin’s suggestion came following the kidnapping incident of a Korean national by fellow Koreans in Cebu City last month.

He earlier assured that the incident won’t affect tourist arrivals in Cebu and is even expecting closer economic and diplomatic ties between South Korea and Cebu.

Gyeonggi, the largest province in South Korea, is eyeing sisterhood ties with Cebu as expressed during the visit of its officials led by council man Lee Jai Cheon with Garcia last week.

Shin said that the release of the kidnap victim, Kwon Young Hoon, after a two-day detention in a safe house in Lapu-Lapu City, also won’t scare off South Koreans from visiting Cebu province.

Two of Kwon’s captors, Kim Jong Seok and Choi Se Yong, are now facing charges before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office. — (FREEMAN)