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January 17, 2006

The Department of Tourism of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Government of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as the "Sides");

DESIRING to strengthen the friendly relations and mutual understanding existing between the two countries;

AWARE that tourism, on account of its socio-cultural and economic impact, is an excellent instrument for promoting goodwill and enhancing the bilateral relations of the two countries;

DESIRING to encourage travel and tourism between their peoples for the purpose of study, cultural exchange, recreation, business, and congresses and conventions;

RECOGNIZING their common interest in establishing greater cooperation in tourism on the basis of equality and mutual benefit;

HAVE reached the following understanding:

PARAGRAPH 1

The Sides will take the necessary measures to enhance the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries, so as to promote mutual understanding between their two peoples.

PARAGRAPH 2

The Sides will encourage communications between their officials to promote understanding between them and to exchange views concerning the sustainable development of bilateral tourism cooperation.

PARAGRAPH 3

The Sides will endeavor to assist tour operators from both countries to foster mutually beneficial links with their counterparts and to obtain information necessary to enhance travel and tourism services between the two countries.

PARAGRAPH 4

The Sides will strengthen existing channels for two-way consultations and working cooperation by encouraging the reciprocal establishment of tourism offices in each other's countries.

PARAGRAPH 5

Each Side will support efforts by the other Side to enhance public information and tourism promotion activities in each other's countries, including the exchange of visits of media representatives and travel and tourism operators.

PARAGRAPH 6

The Sides will encourage cooperation in tourism promotion programs, including advertising, development of tours packages, production and exchange of brochures and other related materials. The Sides will also encourage their local governments to undertake twinning programs which involve tourism cooperation.

PARAGRAPH 7

The Sides will encourage tourists from third countries to visit each other's countries, and will provide appropriate assistance to them in this regard.

PARAGRAPH 8

The Sides will encourage investment in tourism infrastructure in each other's countries.

PARAGRAPH 9

Each Side will make its best efforts to protect the tourists of the other Side while they are staying in or passing through its territory.

PARAGRAPH 10

The Sides will facilitate the establishment of a channel of communication between them on a date agreed by both Sides, for the exchange of views on matters related to tourism cooperation and to follow through the implementation of the spirit of this Memorandum of Understanding. Responsible offices will be identified and tasked to coordinate for this purpose.

PARAGRAPH 11

Any dispute arising from the interpretation, application or implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding will be settled amicably by consultation or negotiation between the Sides.

PARAGRAPH 12

1. This Memorandum of Understanding will come into effect on the date of signature.

2. Any amendment or revision of the text of this Memorandum of Understanding will be done with mutual consent of the Sides.

3. This Memorandum of Understanding will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years and will be automatically renewed for successive five-year periods unless either Side notifies the other of its intention to terminate this Memorandum of Understanding six (6) months prior to its expiration.

4. The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding will not affect the implementation of ongoing programs and activities which were jointly decided upon while the Memorandum of Understanding was in effect.

Signed in duplicate at Davao City, Philippines on 17 January 2006 in the Korean and English languages, all texts being equally valid.

For the Department of Tourism of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines	For the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Government of the Republic of Korea
(Sgd.) JOSEPH H. DURANO	(Sgd.) BYOUNGSOO LIM
Secretary	Assistant Minister