Ambassador asks Duterte to ensure Korean tourists’ safety

President Duterte discusses matters with the South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-Man who paid a courtesy call on the President at the Malacañan Palace on Nov. 18, 2019. (Albert Alcain/Presidential Photo)

MANILA, Philippines—South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Han Dong-man has appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to ensure the safety of Korean nationals visiting the Philippines.

Han made the request during his Monday’s courtesy call on Duterte at Malacañang’s Music Room.

“Yesterday when I met him [Duterte], I promised to bring two million tourists during my term. Also, I asked him to secure the safety and security of our Korean nationals,” Han said Tuesday during the “The Virtual Presser” hosted by Presidential Communications Operations-Office Global Media Affairs.

Earlier this month, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that the Philippines received a total of 6,161,503 visitors from January to September 2019, of which, 1,450,792 came from South Korea.

READ: DOT: Tourist arrivals exceed 6 million in 9 months

During the briefing, the diplomat also bared plans of establishing a “Korea Town” in Malate, Manila.

“In Manila, particularly in Malate area, there are many Korean restaurants and there are many Korean tourists visiting there so we are envisioning to make that area as ‘Korea Town’,” Han said.

READ: Korea Town in Manila in the offing

Edited by GSG