Manila: The Korean Embassy in Manila has expressed its gratitude to the Philippine government for prioritizing the safety and security of foreign tourists, particularly South Koreans, in the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, during a luncheon meeting with the press, Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa acknowledged Korea's concerns about the safety of its nationals following incidents involving Korean tourists. He commended the swift cooperation from Philippine authorities in addressing these safety concerns, emphasizing that such actions are crucial in sending a reassuring message to Korean visitors.
Ambassador Lee highlighted that South Koreans represent the largest group of foreign visitors to the Philippines, expressing hope that this trend will continue positively. He also referred to a specific incident on April 20, when a Korean national was fatally shot near a bank in Angeles City's Korean Town, an event reportedly connected to a robbery.
Following this incident, Ambassador Lee visited Pampanga with the National Bureau of Investigation to address safety concerns directly, a move that was well-received by the Korean community. He emphasized the importance of the cooperation between the two countries in improving security measures for Korean nationals.
The Philippines and South Korea have since agreed to enhance coordination and security measures to ensure the safety of Korean visitors and residents. Korea remains the top source market for international visitors to the Philippines, with 1,574,152 arrivals contributing approximately USD2.3 billion to the national economy in 2024.
