Philippines and South Korea Relations

I am a Filipino and I am a huge fan of Kpop and Korean dramas. I was just amused on how they were able to preserve their culture and history and at the same time adapt to modern changes and even become one of its leaders. But just recently, I just discovered an interesting relationship between the Philippines and South Korea.

It was astonishing to know that Filipinos were actually a part of Korea's history way before Kpop and K-dramas were introduced; and now I wonder, did I just forgot the facts? Or has just this been forgotten in our own history? I compiled a few facts gathered from different sources below about the start of the Philippine SoKor relations and the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea for us to relive history once again.

The bilateral relations between South Korea and the Philippines started on March 3,1949 when the Philippines recognized the Republic of Korea. In June 25,1950 the North Korean Communist Forces started its offensive against South Korea, thus this gave birth to the Korean War. The Korean War was said to be the first United Nation's committment of armed forces to conduct and end a war. During the invasion of North Korea, 53 member countries of the UN approved armed action against NorKor; 15 of which committed ground combat forces, 9 provided naval forces, 6 sent air force elements and 5 contributed medical support (either military of civilian). At this time, most nations who committed ground forces formed dedicated units manned by volunteers intended for Korean duty. But Philippines and Turkey were 2 exceptions on this matter wherein they rotated their own regular units.

theunknowngazette.blogspot.com

The Philippines is one of the first countries during that time to offer commitment of combat in August 19,1950; this was despite the serious threat served by the Hukbalahap movement faced by Quirino's administration. President Elpidio R, Quirino uttered the following words when he sent the 7,420 PEFTOK (Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea) contigents:

"What you will do will prove to all the world that this republic and all of you who are part of it have the will and power to survive… to make our own lives as we want them to be, and to keep them that way."

In September 19,1950 the first battalion of the PEFTOK arrived in the southwestern Korean port of Pusan. It additionally posssessed medium and light tank companies.

There were a total of five 1,300-1500-man battallion combat teams (BCT) which were sent during that war. Each BCT consists of 3 rifle companies (A-C), a heavy weapons company, a headquarters company, and a 105 mm howitzer battery.

The 10th BCT which was the first battallion sent to SoKor was attached with the 3d US Infantry Division's 65 Infantry Regiment, a Puerto Rican unit, under the mistaken impression that the Filipino unit also spoke Spanish. They were also assigned to the US 25th Infantry, the 45th Infantry and the 1st Cavalry. Since the 10th BCT already had experiences in fighting rebel groups, they received an order to eliminate the invading troops which were threatening the supply routes between Seoul and the ports of Masan and Pusan. Their operational area covered more than 800 square miles and harbored about 300 guerrillas. During the initial months of their stay in SoKor they conducted numerous sweeps for northern stay behinds and southern dissidents and after which they received a front-line assignment with the 187th Airborne Combat Team. 

PEFTOK fought courageously against the Chinese People's Volunteer Army during the battle of Yultong  Bridge which is one of the biggest battles of the Korean War (where many Filipinos died for SoKor's independence), the battle of Miudong (first battle that the Filipinos fought on foreign soil), the battle of Hill Eerie (a successful campaign led by the young Lieutenant Fidel Ramos to capture a strategic vantage point near the border), and etc. There were around 112 Filipinos who were killed in action. PEFTOK departed from Korea in May 13,1955. The Korean War lasted from June 25,1950-July 1953.

The five battallions sent to aid SoKor were as follows:

10th Battalion Combat Team (Motorized) "Fighting Tenth"  Sept. 1950-Sept 1951
20th Battalion Combat Team "Leaders"         Sept.1951-June 1952
19th Battallion Combat Team "Bloodhounds"         June 1952-Apr 1953
14th Battalion Combat Team "Avengers"         Apr.1953-Apr.1954
2nd Battallion Combat Team "Blavk Lions" or "Bulldogs" Apr. 1954-Apr 1955

 The Filipino Soldiers also helped in rebuilding the Republic of Korea. The current US Embassy and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism were constructed by Filipinos in 1960s; aside from which the Jang Chung Gymnasium in Dong Dae Mun was also built with the help of the Filipinos. 

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In March 29,2012 PEFTOK-Korean War Memorial Hall at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City was inaugurated to show the deep and extraordinary friendship between Philippines and SoKor for more than 60 years.

Monument in Goyang City

And in appreciation for the contribution made by the Filipino soldiers and government in the settlement of the Korean conflict in the 1950s, the South Korean government erected a monument in Goyang City last June 22,2012. The monument was 21.5 meters high; this was built in tribute for the Filipino soldiers who died for the cause of peace and freedom.
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Currently, SoKor is one of the major trading partner of the Philippines.

Both governments have instituted various agreements at the bilateral level, including, for labor, the Employment Permit System. Cooperation between the two countries in the political, security, economic, socio-cultural and development fields is expected to continue as both parties strive to further strengthen relations.

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 This shows the deep relation that Filipinos and Sou Korean share; an extraordinary 60 years of friendship which is strengthen over time.

I saw this nice video about the relation of the 2 countries in youtube:

References: 
Presidential Broadcast Staff Radio Televsion Malacañang
The-Philippine-Expeditionary-Forces-To-Korea-The-Fighting-Tenth
korean-govt-honors-filipino-vets-of-korean-war
Historical Dictionary of the Philippines 3rd Edition : Artemio R. Guillermo, 2012, Scarecrow Press Inc., United Kingdom
Korean War Almanac, Paul M. Edwards, 2006, Facts on File Inc. New YorkKorean war order of Battle, Gordan L. Rottman, 2002, Greenwood Publishing Group, USA
The US Army and Irregular Warfare 1775-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRzc2ai1Et4
Philippine Embassy in Seoul