A Tragedy in the Heart of the Entertainment District

Two Korean men were shot and killed in the middle of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

According to local media and social media reports, the incident occurred in front of a club in the Malate area of Manila on the evening of the 15th (local time).

This area is known for its concentration of clubs and karaoke bars, attracting a large number of visitors, including many Korean tourists.

The crime scene is reported to be next to a large hotel and a Korean grocery store. There are claims that the victims were not mere tourists but Koreans residing in the area who frequently used the grocery store. Some cautiously suggest the possibility that they may have become victims of a contract killing.

Increasing Crimes Targeting Koreans

Crimes targeting Koreans in the Philippines have surged in recent years. In April, a Korean tourist was killed in a motorcycle robbery in Angeles City, a popular tourist destination in Pampanga Province on Luzon Island.

Last year, in a similar area near Koreatown, a Korean man in his 60s died from a pickpocket crime, and another man in his 40s was stabbed and injured in consecutive incidents.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of Korean murder victims in the Philippines reached 38 from 2015 to the first half of last year. This accounts for about 44% of the 86 total victims in the Asia-Pacific region during the same period.

Amid ongoing security concerns and persistent crimes targeting Koreans, anxiety continues to grow within the expatriate community and among tourists. There are calls for the government and local authorities to urgently establish fundamental measures in response to this incident.

Image source: Stock photos for understanding the article / gettyimagesbank