By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Outgoing Republic of Korea Ambassador Lee Sang-Hwa paid a farewell courtesy call on Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo at the Supreme Court on Thursday, underscoring the enduring partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in advancing judicial reforms and modernization.
The meeting was held at the Supreme Court’s En Banc Conference Room in Manila and was attended by Associate Justices Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Raul B. Villanueva.
Ambassador Lee was accompanied by Second Secretary and Consul Kim Byunghak and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Country Director Jung Youngsun.
During the visit, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in improving the administration of justice through technology-driven initiatives and institutional development.
Among the key collaborative programs discussed was the ongoing “Improving Judicial Efficiency and Accessibility by Innovating Philippine Courts” project, a joint undertaking designed to modernize court operations. The initiative includes the establishment of an electronic verification system, expanded training programs for court personnel, digitization of judicial records, and knowledge-sharing activities supporting the rollout of the Philippine eCourt System Version 2.0.
Chief Justice Gesmundo also highlighted the Judiciary’s continuing digital transformation under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027 (SPJI), which seeks to enhance the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of court services through the use of modern technology.
For his part, Ambassador Lee expressed appreciation for the Supreme Court’s continued support in fostering stronger institutional ties between the Philippine and Korean judiciaries. He said the partnership has paved the way for meaningful exchanges that contribute to more responsive and efficient justice systems in both countries.
Lee assumed his diplomatic post in the Philippines on July 10, 2023, after presenting his credentials to the President. His farewell visit marked the culmination of his diplomatic mission, during which judicial cooperation became one of the areas of growing collaboration between the two nations.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism that the Philippines and South Korea will continue working closely on future judicial modernization initiatives that promote innovation, efficiency, and improved public access to justice.
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