The South Korean government is pushing for comprehensive measures to help protect its nationals in the Philippines who are vulnerable to local crimes, an official here said Monday.

This includes the installment of more CCTV cameras in areas with many ethnic Koreans.

"We are conducting a survey on demand for CCTVs and other necessary steps through the (South Korean) embassy there," the official said on the customary condition of anonymity.

South Korea will use its own budget for the initiative to bolster protective measures for its nationals in the Southeast Asian country.

It is a popular tourist spot for Koreans. More than one million visit there every year. But it is one of the most dangerous overseas destinations for Koreans, both traveling or residing there.

In particular, a number of elderly Koreans have retired there.

They have become a target of such heinous crimes as burglary, kidnapping and murder.

Last week, a couple was shot dead by an unidentified gunman who broke into their house in the Calabarzon region, south of Manila.

It raised the number of South Koreans killed in the Philippines to 10 this year alone.

Ten were killed last year, while 13 others were murdered there in 2013, according to official data.

The government will continue consultations with the Filipino security authorities to prevent crimes against Koreans, the official said.

"We are trying to craft fundamental security and safety measures," he said.

But the effectiveness of additional CCTV cameras remains unknown. (Yonhap)