The security desks will be set up in local police stations in areas with large Korean populations, according to The Philippine Star newspaper.

Officers assigned to the desks will receive basic Korean language training, supported by South Korean officials, the South China Morning Post reported.

The move comes after a series of murders raised safety concerns among South Korean travelers, the largest source of foreign tourists to the Philippines.

In March, a South Korean man was shot and killed by two robbers in Manila.

In April, another South Korean tourist was fatally shot during a robbery in Angeles City.

A South Korean tourist was last month kidnapped by a group of armed men in the Philippines, but was later rescued by Filipino police, who also arrested two Chinese kidnappers.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens to avoid poorly lit or deserted areas at night and to use safe transportation methods, such as registered taxis while visiting the country.

Following the series of violent incidents, the number of South Korean visitors to the Philippines dropped by 35% in April.

The Philippines, which boasts over 36,000 kilometers of coastline, was named “Asia’s Leading Beach Destination” at the 2024 World Travel Awards.