MANILA -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it remains committed to ensuring the safety of South Korean tourists.

“This is something that we take with great seriousness, in a sense that we have called on our fellow government agencies to really ensure that we come together to prioritize tourist safety for South Koreans and all tourists coming into the Philippines,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.

This was after several Koreans became victims of robbery and violent crimes this year, which prompted the Korean embassy to caution its nationals in the Philippines to limit outdoor activities.   

According to embassy data, there have been more than 200 criminal incidents involving Korean nationals this year—these include two homicide cases, three kidnappings for ransom, and eleven armed robberies.

South Korea is the Philippines' top source of international tourists, with 1,574,152 South Korean travelers visiting in 2024.

Frasco noted that she has proposed the formation of a National Task Force on Tourist Safety to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

DOT: Agencies working to ensure safety of Koreans, other tourists

“We have been in very close coordination with the Korean government, the chief of which is the Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines, to ensure that we work together to retain confidence among South Koreans in visiting the Philippines,” she said.

Meanwhile, the DOT said it continues s to attract more South Korean travelers through “fortified promotional activities,” Frasco said.

In a statement, the DOT noted that it appointed South Korean singer-songwriter and actor Seo In Guk as the celebrity Tourism Ambassador for the Philippines. 

The DOT also said it will roll out co-marketing campaigns with travel agencies and aviation partners, and organize a familiarization tour for South Korean social media influencers in late 2025.

The agency also said it will continue promoting Philippine tourism products via its dedicated showroom in Seoul and through social media campaigns.