DAVAO CITY – Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man said he remains optimistic the Koreans who have stayed here for a long time would return to this city after they left following the declaration of martial law in Mindanao last year.
In an interview here on Friday, Ambassador Han said there used to be 7,000 Koreans in the city but more than half of the number relocated to other places in the Visayas and Luzon either to study or do business.
Han said martial law initially created a “different perception” among the Koreans, but added that visiting Davao City again would correct such impression.
Han was in Davao City to meet with the Korean community, the business sector and to speak at the Ateneo de Davao University on the Vision for Peace in the Koren Peninsula and the Philippines – Korea Relations which was attended by some 100 students and members of the academe.
The Korean envoy underscored Davao City’s many potentials in business and tourism, adding the local government should intensify its tourism promotions to lure back Korean tourists and businesses.
Han said he will be closely working with the Korean Chamber of Commerce to consider Davao City for their projects, adding investors are more geared towards locating in economic zones.
An obstacle that the South Korean envoy sees for foreign investors in the Philippines is its limits on foreign ownership.
However, he said the country can still be competitive by focusing on infrastructure development.
During his courtesy visit to Mayor Sara Duterte, Han said he told the mayor the South Korean government was willing to fund infrastructure projects in Davao City. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)
