The South Korean Embassy will sponsor a concert featuring popular K-Pop idols and other groups to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Philippines.

South Korean Ambassador Han Dong-man will spearhead Korean officials in welcoming guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, during the event to be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Thursday.

Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts will host the concert, which will also feature NCT Dream, Noir, and April.

Bilateral relations between the two countries were established on March 3, 1949 shortly before the Korean War erupted.

The Philippines was the fifth country to recognize the Republic of Korea when it declared its independence on August 15, 1948.

The friendship was strengthened when the Philippines dispatched the Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) during the Korean War in the 1950s to help South Korea stave off the invasion by North Koreans and Chinese forces.

The Filipino troopers displayed their combat proficiency during the war that earned the praises of allied forces.

One of those who volunteered to go to Korea was then Lt. Fidel V. Ramos, who led PEFTOK soldiers to conquer the strategic Eerie Hill following a bloody battle, including hand-to-hand combat.

By turn of event, Ramos was elected the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines wherein he promoted further the excellent friendship between the Philippines and South Korea.

After the Armistice was signed to end the war, Korea sent Kim Yong-Ki as its first ambassador to the Philippines in January 1954.

In May that year, the Philippines established a legation in South Korea led by Minister Tomas de Castro, who was appointed as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Philippines in the country.

In 1958, the Philippines opened an Embassy in Seoul under Ambassador Eduardo Quintero.

The relationship blossomed in the course of the decades through cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral fronts. (By Ben Cal / PNA)