South Koreans in Central Luzon urged to learn PH culture, find friends
CLARK FREEPORT—As South Koreans continue to establish their lives in Central Luzon provinces, their Consul General to the Philippines, Sang Seung-man, urged their community to learn the local culture and make friends.
Speaking before some 500 leaders and members of the Korean Community Association in Central Luzon at the “2023 Hanbi” (Philippine Korean Cultural Exchange Festival) on Friday night at the Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort here, Sang said learning “culture opens up each other’s heart.”Aside from promoting K-pop, K-drama and Korean food, Sang encouraged them to find Filipino friends whom they count on to help each other.
Security is the main concern of South Koreans, especially those in Angeles City where some of them have encountered robberies, according to Jong Pil Choi, the association’s president.
Currently, there are almost 15,000 South Koreans living in Central Luzon. The region is composed of the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales.But before the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, around 30,000 Koreans lived in the region, Sang said.
Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Acting Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda came to the event, assuring support for the South Korean community in the region.
“Most Koreans come (in Central Luzon) for business,” Jong said.
He said Pampanga province and Angeles City are preferred as residences because of the “good environment and being near the [Clark International] airport.”
In Angeles City alone, 1,000 businesses are registered as owned by a South Korean.
Angeles City Mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. had asked the police to intensify security measures on the Korean town just outside this freeport to prevent any more crimes targeting their establishments. —TONETTE OREJAS INQ
