Over the past decade, the Philippines has tragically become the country with the highest number of murder cases involving South Koreans in Asia—more than double the combined total of such cases in China and Japan.
According to the 2023 National Travel Survey from the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, the Philippines ranks as the fourth most popular travel destination for South Koreans, with 5.5% choosing it for their getaway. However, the sunny vacation spot has a darker side—crimes against South Koreans have been on the rise, including violent incidents that have shocked both nations.
Data provided by South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released by National Assembly member Kim Young Bae, reveals that from 2015 to the first half of 2023, 38 South Koreans were murdered in the Philippines. That’s 44.2% of all South Korean murder victims in the Asia-Pacific region during that period—more than double the combined total of those killed in Japan (13 people) and China (5 people).
So, what’s behind this alarming trend? Experts point to systemic corruption and a lack of public safety in the Philippines, which often results in crimes going unsolved. One infamous case involved the 2016 abduction and murder of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, a crime orchestrated by none other than a former senior police officer. Despite a guilty verdict, the main perpetrator remains free, highlighting the deep-rooted issues within the Philippine justice system.
And it’s not just murder—violent crimes like robbery, rape, and kidnapping are also a significant concern for South Koreans in the Philippines. In the past decade, the country recorded 38 murders and 102 robberies targeting South Koreans, making it the second-highest in the region after China.
Part of the reason South Koreans are targeted in the Philippines comes down to economic inequality and poverty. Many South Korean entrepreneurs have fallen victim to investment schemes or kidnappings, with criminals demanding large ransoms. Corruption within law enforcement and the military only worsens the situation, leaving many crimes unresolved and victims without protection.
The large number of South Korean-owned businesses in the Philippines also makes them easy targets for criminal activities. Business conflicts or financial disputes can quickly escalate, and the slow, often corrupt legal system allows many perpetrators to evade justice.
Kim Young Bae is now calling on South Korea’s diplomatic authorities to take stronger action. He’s urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korean Embassy in the Philippines to step up their efforts to bring suspects to justice and better protect South Korean nationals abroad.
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