The number of South Koreans implicated in overseas accidents and crimes as victims or perpetrators soared to 18,410 people last year, an increase of 135 percent compared with 7,808 in 2011, a lawmaker said Tuesday, citing government data.
In 2017, 12,529 South Korean nationals were victims in accidents or crimes outside of the country, while 1,692 Koreans were perpetrators in incidents abroad, according to the data of the foreign ministry analyzed and released by Rep. Lee Tae-gyu of the opposition Bareunmirae Party.
The remaining 4,189 Koreans were involved in forced deportation, suicide or other unfortunate incidents, the data showed.
Pictured are the arrival gates of Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap)
In recent years, the number of South Koreans involved in overseas accidents and crimes has steadily risen, increasing from 8,910 in 2012 to 9,100 in 2013, 10,664 in 2014, 14,076 in 2015 and 14,493 in 2016.
Despite the surge in the overseas accidents and crimes, however, the number of South Korean diplomats at overseas missions and the ministry headquarters, who are in charge of handling such affairs, has increased by a mere 6 percent and 55 percent, respectively, in the 2011-2017 period, Lee said.
As of 2017, the nation's outbound travelers reached 26.4 million, which translated into about 103,000 travelers per one South Korean consul, said the lawmaker, noting the corresponding figures for Australia, the Netherlands, Japan and France were 11,654, 30,000, 35,659 and 38,922, respectively.
Meanwhile, the number of South Korean prisoners abroad more than tripled from 376 in 2011 to 1,375 as of June this year.
"The number of overseas accidents and crimes involving South Koreans more than doubled over the past six years, but the number of South Korean diplomats in charge of handling those affairs is very insufficient," said Lee, calling for substantial measures to ensure the safety of overseas travelers in time for this year's summer vacation season. (Yonhap)