Decades after helping a Filipino factory worker win justice, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was reunited with Ariel Galac on Wednesday, March 4.
In 1992, Galac suffered a severe accident while working in a Korean factory, losing one arm. At the time, many foreign workers were sent home without medical treatment or compensation. Lee, then a human rights lawyer, stepped in to assist Galac, securing medical care and compensation after a year-long legal process.
“Regardless of nationality, skin color, or language, the sweat we shed deserves respect,” Lee said in Korean, praising Galac’s journey of turning personal pain into hope for others.
Galac now advises overseas workers and continues to inspire those facing hardships abroad, serving as a testament to resilience and the enduring impact of human rights advocacy.
Lee ended his post with warm words: “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ariel Galac. Ingat.”
마음 깊이 남아 있던 한 분을 필리핀 땅에서 만났습니다. 1992년 인권 변호사로 일하던 시절 인연을 맺었던 아리엘 갈락 씨입니다.
그는 한국의 공장에서 밤낮없이 일하다 한쪽 팔을 잃는 큰 사고를 당했습니다. 당시만 해도 외국인 노동자들이 산업재해를 입으면 치료나 보상을 받지 못한 채… pic.twitter.com/4oFQYUpn3h
— 이재명 (@Jaemyung_Lee) March 4, 2026
Lee was in Manila for a state visit, where he met President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss ways to deepen economic and security ties.
The Philippines and South Korea signed a memoranda of understanding in various sectors, including digital technology, procurement of specific defense equipment, agriculture, intellectual property, foreign language education, culture, and police investigations.
READ: Philippines, South Korea leaders pledge closer cooperation as geopolitical uncertainty mounts
—John Marwin Elao, with reports from Reuters
