The number of South Korean nationals living abroad who have been affected by accidents and crimes has spiked over the past five years, the foreign ministry said Tuesday.

According to data submitted by the ministry to the National Assembly, 8,298 South Koreans were involved in accidents and crimes in 2015, up 86.1 percent from what was tallied in 2011.

The number also remained high this year, with 4,136 Koreans involved in such cases as theft, murders, and traffic accidents as of Aug. 2.

Of this year's total, theft cases accounted for the largest proportion, with 2,941 victims, followed by frauds with 176. Eleven South Koreans were killed abroad during the first eight months of this year.

Meanwhile, 1,259 South Koreans were behind bars in foreign countries as of June 30, up around 25 percent from 2012.

Japan topped the list with 470 people being imprisoned, followed by China with 320 and the United States with 263. Those incarcerated in the three countries accounted for over 80 percent of the total.

Drug-related crimes were the single biggest reason for people being locked up, with 315 South Koreans in prison for this offense alone. Murders and frauds came next with 177 and 156 cases, respectively, the data showed. (Yonhap)