South Korea embassy says full-scale war unlikely but Pinoys urged to stay alert
The embassy of South Korea in the Philippines on Tuesday said a full-scale war between the two Koreas is “not likely” and will probably be confined to the demilitarized zone.
Still, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs urged Filipinos in South Korea to remain calm but alert after North Korea announced on Saturday that it was entering into a state of war against the South.
Seong Un Hwang, Counselor for Culture and Public Affairs, told "News to Go" host Howie Severino: “We don't think that North Korea will wage war... We don't think that it's likely.”
Hwang added that they believe North Korea is only threatening them.
A full-scale war would put Pyongyang in a high-risk position because the United States is backing up South Korea, Hwang said.
“There is no 100 percent guarantee [that they will not attack] so even though we are thinking that they are just threatening we are on alert all the time,” he said.
Hwang stressed that daily life in South Korea is not that much affected by the North's declaration of war.
Pinoys urged to remain calm, alert
Meanwhile, some 42,000 overseas Filipino workers in South Korea were advised Tuesday to remain calm but alert amid North Korea's threats of war against South Korea.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said there is no reason to panic since the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Seoul is monitoring the situation.
“Amidst the reports of a normal situation in South Korea, our POLO in the region work closely with the Embassy under one-country-team approach and would never let its guard down. It will continuously and constantly monitor the developments in the region and will always be prepared to ensure that our OFWs will stay safe and away from danger,” DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said.
Baldoz likewise asked families of OFWs in South Korea to also remain calm as the Philippine government prioritizes their safety.
In a news release posted on the Official Gazette website Tuesday, the DOLE said there are 42,057 Filipino residents in Korea as of February 28.
Philippine labor attache to Korea Felicitas Bay reported that the Philippine Embassy constantly updates the Filipino community of the security situation via its website, email blast, community gathering and Filcom Leaders’ Forum.
For its part, the POLO reminded OFWs, especially those who recently arrived in the country, to "always monitor the situation and to keep a handy emergency kit and money for any eventuality."
Calm and normal
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also affirmed on Tuesday that the situation in South Korea remains calm and normal even after the North's declaration of war.
DFA Spokesman Raul Hernandez told Severino in a separate interview that they have informed Filipinos residing in South Korea about possible contingency plans.
Hernandez noted that although threats from North Korea is already "normal" for the South, President Benigno Aquino III and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario already instructed the Philippine Embassy in South Korea to prepare in case a full-blown war erupts.
Hernandez said the Filipino residents and skilled workers, mostly in the entertainment and service industries, remain calm amidst the declaration of war.
“So far yung ating 40,000 Filipinos doon ay kalmado. Inabisuhan sila na palagi silang manood ng TV, ugaliing makinig sa radyo at magbasa ng mga pahayagan tungkol sa mga kaganapan sa Korean peninsula,” Hernandez said.
He said Filipino community leaders in the South are aware of the contingency plans set by the embassy and are trying to make sure the information is dessiminated properly to other Filipinos.
These include hotline and government service numbers, information on where to go and designated evacuation sites by the embassy.
Hernandez then stressed that it is important for the Filipinos in South Korea to get hold of these information to make the possible repatriation process easier.
On the other hand, he said that there were between five to seven Filipinos in North Korea last year working for non-government organizations there.
However, he said that the DFA currently is not aware of the whereabouts of these Filipinos or if they have already left North Korea.
Ready to retaliate
Meanwhile, Seong emphasized that Seoul is ready to retaliate immediately if Pyongyang decides to attack.
He said the South has defense systems ready to counter any attack from the North.
“We do preparation all the time so the people are accustomed to those things so they don't have any worry about that,” Seong said, adding “In [South] Korea the government always has a contingency plan. They have a defense system and then they have evacuation plans. We are all prepared.”
He also cited South Korea's strong alliance with the US, proven by annual military drills between US and South Korean military forces.
The US has already deployed stealth bombers to keep the situation under control, he said.
“We are more on alert and we strengthened the relations with the US. Also the US deployed stealth bombers to prepare for any kinds of provocations so we are all ready for any provocation,” Seong said. - with Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News
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