PH-Korea to boost HRD cooperation

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) engaged in a conversation with the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) of Korea and Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education and Training (KRIVET) to explore areas of cooperation between South Korea and the Philippines related to employment, labor, and human resource development. The initiative is also aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement during the World Association of Public Employment Services-Asia-Pacific Regional Conference 2025, held in November, to focus on collaboration and expanding employment opportunities. Labor Undersecretary Carmela I. Torres, alongside Assistant Secretary Joel M. Gonzales and Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan, Jr., led the meeting that highlighted DOLE’s preparedness to collaborate and continuously enhance the country’s public employment facilitation services, career development support mechanisms, and labor market information system through insights gained from Korea. Also joining the meeting was Senior Deputy Director Hea-eun Choi from the Development Cooperation Division of MOEL, together with Senior Research Fellow Dr. Jihee Choi, Associate Research Fellow Dr. Dong Jin Park, and Research Assistant Seungkyun You from KRIVET. Photos by Ali Creo/DOLE IPS