From 30,000 in 2003, the number of Korean investors in the Philippines has vaulted to more than 100,000 this year as things continue to look up in the two countries' trade and diplomatic relations.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was informed of the surge in Korean investments in the country by Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Ahn Sang Soo of the Democratic Republic of Korea who called on her this last Friday in Malacanang.
 
During his Malacanang visit, Mayor Ahn also signed with Albay Gov. Joey Salceda the twinning agreement between Albay and Incheon Metropolitan City.
 
Responding to the information of Mayor Ahn on Korean investments in the Philippines, the President expressed gratitude for his country's continuing confidence in the Philippines and the world-class Filipino workforce.
 
The President witnessed the signing and exchange of the twinning agreement between the Korean city official and Salceda at the Heroes' Hall of Malacanang.

Also present during the signing of the agreement were Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Hung Jung Gi, former Ambassador Kim Wook, now Advisor for Incheon International Relations; and Bishop Ephraim Tendero.
 
The Korean official told the President that South Koreans are grateful for the Philippines' support to his country during the Korean War in the 1950s.
 

He added that there are now millions of Christians in his country, with Incheon hosting the single biggest Christian group in Korea.
 
Incheon is keen on hiring Filipino construction and IT service workers, as well as English teachers, he said. - END -