In 60 years, from 1950 to 2010, the people of the Republic of Korea have gone from the extreme depths of devastating war to gradual but steady national recovery, export-oriented industrialization, accession to membership in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, then G20 status as one of the world’s major economic powers. The RoK earned OECD status in 1996, and this November will host the G20 Summit in Seoul to tackle global economic problems.

In November 2009, the OECD elected South Korea to its Development Assistance Committee, which is the major source of assets, funds, and personnel that are deployed as official assistance throughout the developing/ less-developed world.

“This was happening in the middle of an economic crisis when many countries were holding back. South Korea, however, was signalling the way forward, as it has done in many areas,” remarked OECD Secretary-General Gurria in admiration, as RoK pledged its development assistance from its present 0.09% of GDP, to 0.15% in 2012, and to 0.25% by 2015.

65 Years of Struggle: Good Model to Follow

After the surrender of Japan on 15 August 1945 (which marked the end of World War II) the two parts of the Korean nation: democratic South Korea under Syngman Rhee and communist North Korea under Kim Il-Sung, still had to fight their internal conflicts, insurgency threats and subversion problems for the next 5 years.

As the Cold War unfolded, the separate Koreas were seen as the Asian proxies of the two remaining superpowers — the US and the USSR.

South Korea’s protracted struggle for survival, decolonization, self-determination, nation-building, denuclearization, and reunification — which spans 65 years — could well be the Philippines’ own model to follow on the road to modernization. The RoK saga is still unfinished but is already a success story which developing nations can emulate in terms of South Korea’s culture of self-sacrifice and patriotism to achieve the common good. The SoKor story is all about the collective sacrifice of its people — and not just of one exemplary family or group of idealistic leaders, but of the totality of its concerned citizens.

To the Philippines, the higher importance of South Korea emanates from its being an Asian exemplar of national transformation resulting from individual self-abnegation, cooperative community renewal, and resolute generational vision. Kaya ba natin ito???
For the Philippines to achieve a similar position of respect/influence in the world community — from devastation to development to modernity — as South Korea has done in three generations is, indeed, a worthy target for Filipinos to aspire.

Korea-Philippines alliance in war, partnership in peace

In last week’s column, we quoted RoK President Lee Myung-bak’s recent letter to FVR which expressed the South Korean people’s gratitude to the Philippines: “We honor the selfless sacrifice of Filipino soldiers in fighting tyranny and aggression... and salute your courage in enduring the unimaginable horrors of war.”

As manifestation of such partnership and goodwill, the RoK government is constructing a “Korea-Philippines Friendship Center” on a 5,000 sq. meter area in Fort Bonifacio donated by DND near the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Scheduled to be completed before end-2010 under the supervision of the SoKor Embassy in Manila in coordination with the Peftok Veterans Association, Inc. (under retired Colonel Mauro Lachica), the Friendship Center includes a “Korean War Memorial Park” and offices of the Korea International Cooperation Agency and PVAI.

The RoK Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs headed by Minister Yang Kim has invited 30 Filipino veterans and their spouses (from a total of 2,400 invitees from 21 countries under the United Nations Command) to participate in the observance of the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War in two major venues (Incheon, 14-19 September, and Seoul, 27 September - 2 October).

Of special meaning to the Philippines are the Yultong Shrines highlighting the 10th BCT warriors headed by Colonel Dionisio Ojeda, Captain Conrado Yap, and ILt Jose Artiaga; and the Peftok Monument at Gosong near the Demilitarized Zone.

The Peftok Monument honors the 7,500 Filipino combatants, their commanders Colonel Mariano Azurin (10th BCT), Colonel Dionisio Ojeda (10th BCT), Colonel Salvador Abcede (20th BCT), Colonel Ramon Aguirre (19th BCT), Colonel Nicanor Jimenez (14th BCT), Colonel Antonio de Veyra (2nd BCT), and Colonel Reynaldo Mendoza (2nd BCT), the Filipino journalists, and Red Cross workers.
Notable among the volunteers who supported the 10th BCT was 18-year old Benigno Aquino, Jr., war correspondent for the Manila Times. Ninoy crossed the 38th parallel with our troops and reported their baptism of fire against the North Korean Army in the Songju area in October 1950.

Korea, Japan, China and the US

After defeating China’s Qing dynasty in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1896), Japan occupied the Korean peninsula and annexed it under the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910.

Last 09 August, Japan’s Prime Minister offered a renewed apology for his country’s past wrongdoings, and expressed once again “our deep remorse for the suffering to the Korean people caused by colonization.” PM Naoto Kan’s apology was issued ahead of the 100th anniversary on 29 August 2010 of the Japanese annexation of the Korean peninsula.

Last 15 August, (65th Anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan), RoK President Lee said that Seoul and Tokyo must work together “to develop a new future and forge a new relationship for another 100 years,” (Philippine Star, 16 August).

The US, of course, continues to be part of the “balance of power” equation to guarantee peace, harmony, and stability in the Asia-Pacific.

The Associated Press recently portrayed RoK-US military developments (17 August): “Thousands of South Korean and US troops launched military drills yesterday despite North Korea’s warning that it would retaliate with a ‘merciless counterblow’ to this rehearsal for invasion. The 11-day drills are annual computer-simulated war games that involve some 56,000 South Korean soldiers and 30,000 US troops in South Korea and abroad. These followed massive joint naval exercises last month off South Korea’s east coast that Washington and Seoul said were a show of unity and are purely defensive, while North Korea called them preparations for attack.

“The Allies blame North Korea for the torpedo attack that killed 46 sailors last March. Pyongyang for years has threatened the South with destruction, though it has never followed through with an all-out military assault since the Korean War ended in 1953.”

The Philippines, US, China, ASEAN and the Spratlys

Adding to the heightened tension in our Asia-Pacific neighborhood was a recent US move reported by The Wall Street Journal (12 August): “Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s blunt declaration that the US will play a role in the South China Sea was applauded by America’s military elites, especially those forward deployed in the Pacific Ocean.

“The big question is whether this signals a fundamental shift in the Obama Administration’s China policy. For years, the Pacific Command — which oversees all American military operations from the west coast of America to the east coast of Africa — has talked more about ‘dialogue’ with China than the threat the latter’s opaque military build-up presents to America and its allies.

“No more: In Congressional testimony earlier this year, new Pacific Command Chief Admiral Robert Willard noted China’s unabated military buildup and concluded that it appeared designed to challenge US freedom of action. The recent tough rhetoric should at least serve to comfort America’s Pacific allies, many of whom are worried about China’s rise and America’s commitment to the region. Japan has complained to Beijing about its Navy poking around Japanese islands. Taiwan continues to demand that China remove the thousands of missiles Beijing points at that democratic island.”

Last 9 August, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo told reporters: “Southeast Asian nations do not need US help in solving territorial disputes with China over the potentially resource-rich South China Sea. Negotiations should be strictly between ASEAN and China, without the US or any other party.”

What the Philippines Must Do

While above frank DFA statement remains Philippine policy (in the absence of any Malacañang disclaimer), we hope President Aquino III will continue to be accurately updated on the nuances of Philippines bilateral relations with the US, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, etc.

Was not Admiral Robert Willard, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific in Manila just the other day? And, did not P.Noy have a briefing session with the CINCPAC on all of above issues?

WHAT MUST THE PHILIPPINES DO??? SIMPLE. STAY ON TOP OF THE SITUATION — UNLIKE IN THE TRAGIC QUIRINO GRANDSTAND-HONG KONG TOURIST BUS HOSTAGE CASE.

Please send any comments to fvr@rpdev.org.