Senior Undersecretary Jose Faustino, Jr., Officer-in-Charge, Department of National Defense (OIC, DND) received Lieutenant Colonel Bae Jung Hoon and Lieutenant Colonel Kim Jai Suk, outgoing and incoming Defense Attachés of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to the Philippines, respectively, on August 3, 2022.
The OIC, DND expressed his appreciation to Lieutenant Colonel Bae and commended his role in further expanding Philippines-ROK defense relations to include the successful visit of the former Secretary of National Defense to the ROK last June 2022, as well as the establishment of the Philippines-ROK Joint Defense Cooperation Committee (JDCC) in 2020, among others.
During the call, the OIC, DND recalled when he was a student officer in the ROK Army College and encouraged more exchanges in intelligence, education and trainings. The DND commended ROK’s defense industry and acknowledged that ROK is one of the Philippines’ longstanding partners for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Program.
Lieutenant Colonel Bae extended his condolences on the passing of former President Fidel V. Ramos and recalled the late leader’s role as a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) during the Korean War. He also extended an invitation to Defense Department officials to attend the upcoming Black Eagles Airshow on August 15.
After congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Bae for his successful tour of duty, the OIC, DND welcomed Lieutenant Colonel Kim to the Philippines and said that he desired to continue developing Philippines-ROK defense relations. Senior Undersecretary Faustino reaffirmed the Department’s support for the ROK’s Defense Attaché. For her part, Lieutenant Colonel Kim expressed commitment during her tour of duty in the country. (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
