Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, top left, and Manila Bulletin Publisher Herminio "Sonny" Coloma show their copies of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed to promote cooperation between the two news outlets, during an online signing ceremony, May 11. At bottom right is Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega who helped connect the two media outlets. At top right is Manila Bulletin's Executive Editor Pinky Colmenares. At bottom left are Manila Bulletin's Senior News Editor Isabel De Leon (left) and Manila Bulletin's Editor-in-Chief Loreto Cabanes. (Korea Times photo by Kwak Won-hee)
The Manila Bulletin and The Korea Times recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on mutual cooperation which was witnessed by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega.
The signatories to the MOU were The Korea Times Publisher and President Oh Young-jin and Manila Bulletin Publisher, former Press Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma.
The MOU signing was held virtually and was witnessed by Manila Bulletin’s Editor-in-Chief Loreto D. Cabañes, Executive Editor Pinky Concha Colmenares, and Senior News Editor Isabel C. de Leon. The Korea Times’ International Project Manager Ahn Seong-jin was the project coordinator.
“This (MOU) is just one part of our partnership as we are going to do a lot of things together,” Oh said.
Ahn said the MOU is aimed at promoting mutual cooperation by sharing content and facilitating visits by members of each newspaper.
“The continuing exchange of information and ideas will push forward the frontiers of media communications in this very challenging era of digital transformation where there are a lot of disinformation and fake news. It also augurs well for credible and professional organizations promoting the practice of ethical journalism,” Coloma said.
“We envision this partnership with The Korea Times to flourish for a long, long time,” he added.
Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said reading the Manila Bulletin had been part of her daily ritual before breakfast. Now, in her capacity as the country’s top diplomat in Seoul, reading The Korea Times had become part of her daily ritual.
The Philippine Embassy in Seoul connected the two major publications.
“This new partnership helps further invigorate our already robust engagement,” Dizon-De Vega said, as she shared that the Philippines and South Korea share a long history covering almost 75 years.
She said The Korea Times enjoys high readership among Filipinos with a big number of engagements coming from Filipino readers.
Former Press Secretary Herminio "Sonny" Coloma, now Manila Bulletin Publisher, prepares to sign the MOU with his counterpart from The Korea Times, Publisher and President Oh Young-jin.
