The Philippine government, through the Department of Tourism (DOT), on Wednesday assured that the safety of South Korean tourists is a priority.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco made the statement following calls by the South Korean side to strengthen protection for its nationals amid the reported rise of violent crime rates against South Koreans residing or visiting the country.

“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,” she said in an interview in Makati City.

The DOT, she said, is in close coordination with the South Korean government, specifically Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa to “retain confidence among South Koreans” visiting the country.

Frasco said the DOT is working with relevant law enforcement agencies and asked the Philippine National Police to “add police personnel” and ensure high police visibility in destinations where South Koreans frequent.

The DOT has so far trained over 8,000 police on the basic principles of tourist safety, a program it already expanded for barangay personnel in far-flung destinations.

The country earlier saw a decline in South Korean arrivals, with only 395,059 visitors recorded in the first quarter of the year compared to 458,619 in 2024.

Frasco said this drop is attributable to a number of factors that are beyond the country’s control, including the weakened Korean won resulting in the slowdown of the South Korean outbound travel market.

Beyond ensuring safety, the official said Manila is “fortifying” promotional activities in South Korea to continue attracting its nationals in the country.

South Korea remains the Philippines’ top source market for international visitors. (PNA)