By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
A total of 231 Korean nationals have been killed overseas over the past five years, while thousands have been reported mugged or assaulted.
According to data provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to Rep. Lim Doo-sung of the Grand National Party (GNP), 15,748 Koreans abroad were victims of murders, robbery or assaults between 2004 and June 2008. Among them, 6,512 reported being mugged, 1,214 assaulted and 1,182 missing.
The number of Korean people killed overseas stood at 55 in 2007, up from 47 in 2004. It stood at 23 during the first six months of 2008.
Murders took place the most in the United States with 74, followed by 27 each in China and the Philippines, and 24 in Japan. Mugging most often occurred in France, Italy and Spain.
``The number of diplomats, especially in consuls, is too small compared to Korean people abroad ― estimated at 2.1 million in 2005. Unless we come up with appropriate measures to deal with the problem, the victims will continue to rise,'' Lim said.
However, the data also showed dark side of Koreans abroad. About 320,000 were illegal residents in foreign countries in 2007, with 235,000 staying in the U.S. At the same time, Japan and the Philippines also marked a high number of illegal Korean residents. Considering these people do not identify themselves out of fear of deportation, the actual number is expected to be much higher, Lim said.
Most of them visit the respective countries with short-term visas then work at restaurants, entertainment facilities and small factories run by fellow Koreans without work permits or long-term visas.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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경찰, 이태원 등 외국인 밀집지역 특별관리
