00:00New initiatives are underway in South Korea to strengthen cultural and tourism ties with ASEAN countries.
00:06Our PTV Davao correspondent Jay Lagang takes us to Jeju Island,
00:10where scenic trails and interactive landmarks are bringing people closer together.
00:15Here's the full story.
00:18Ten commemorative benches have been placed across the 20-kilometer stretch of ASEAN-Korea-Ole Trail 8 at Jeju Island, South Korea.
00:27This was made to mark and strengthen the relations between the Republic of Korea and the Philippines
00:32with other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN.
00:38The ceremony in connection with the completed construction of the benches was held on November 11
00:43in conjunction with the ASEAN-Korea Week celebration.
00:47This initiative was spearheaded by the ASEAN-Korea Center.
00:51I hope that the ASEAN-Korea-Ole and 10 ASEAN benches establish themselves as instruments
00:58toward the path of friendship that brings ASEAN and Korea even closer together.
01:05It was attended by ASEAN ambassadors to South Korea and other dignitaries,
01:10including journalists from 10 ASEAN countries,
01:13namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Philippines.
01:22Each commemorative bench is made of sturdy, super-concrete
01:25where residents, tourists, and hikers can sit and relax
01:30after a long walk in one of the well-known trail sites in South Korea.
01:35A QR code containing information about each ASEAN member country
01:39can also be found on each bench.
01:41From the benches, you can see the beauty of the beach and the strong waves,
01:56popular to local and international surfers.
01:59It is expected that through the commemorative benches,
02:17the cultural and tourism cooperation between ASEAN and South Korea will be further improved.
02:23About 10 million Korean nationals visit the ASEAN every year.
02:29Only about 2 million ASEANs in turn come to Korea.
02:33We hope that will change and we can get more of a balance.
02:37I know you visited Jeju.
02:38You've seen the ASEAN-OLE trail.
02:42For example, charter flight would be one way,
02:46like Philippines that we have with Philippine tourism agencies will do their own due diligence.
02:53And if there is a possibility for them to make profits through this kind of direct or chartered flight,
03:00that would be the one way for them to do it.
03:03It is expected that such initiatives will further strengthen the collaboration
03:07between ASEAN and Republic of Korea towards development and peace.
03:12Reporting from South Korea, Jay Lagang from the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
