Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Philippines most dangerous for Korean tourists, expats
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
The Philippines was the most dangerous country for Koreans traveling or living abroad last year, according to data released by a politician Thursday.
Rep. Shin Hak-yong of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) said that in 2013 crimes committed against Koreans totaled 780 in the Philippines, 598 in China, 424 in France, 338 in Spain, 323 in Italy and 269 in Vietnam.
They included murder, robbery, theft, rape, abduction, physical assault and fraud.
It was the first time since 2011 that the number of crimes against Koreans was higher in the Philippines than in China, the lawmaker said in a press release. China has been one of the most visited countries by Koreans for years.
The data compiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed that the number of crimes against Koreans in the Philippines stood at 128 in 2009, 94 in 2010, 774 in 2011, and 628 in 2012.
The figures in China were 1,024 in 2009, 944 in 2010, 731 in 2011 and 759 in 2012.
Crimes in the Philippines last year included 13 murders, 12 robberies, 678 thefts, two rapes, nine abductions, 12 physical assaults and 10 frauds.
Shin said he asked the foreign ministry to compile the data to find out how safe Korean nationals are abroad amid the increasing international travel by people here.
An average of 15 million Koreans traveled overseas each year, while another 2.6 million Korean nationals live outside the country, according to the government.
It also said the number of Korean tourists to the Philippines this year hit 1.16 million as of Aug. 29, up from 830,000 in 2011.
The lawmaker predicted that crimes targeting Koreans in the Southeast Asian country are likely to increase this year. He said the number there had already reached 495 by the end of the first half of the year, including eight murders.
“The foreign ministry has been taking measures to prevent our people from being targets of crimes outside the country,” Shin said in a statement. “However, it still needs to come up with better solutions as more people are being victimized abroad.”