THE representative of (South) Korean community in Panglao did not categorically answer if they have permit to work legally in Panglao tourist belt.
Korean representative Kim Hyojin, who is fluent in English, appeared to be evading when asked if they are allowed to work while in the Philippines, Panglao particularly, during the meeting of the Provincial Tourism council executive committee held in IvyWall/Western Plus Resort, Alona beach, Panglao, Bohol on March 20, 2025.
But Hyojin distributed his supposedly business card to the PTC members when they’re about to leave the meeting. In the card appears the name Sean Yun, representing the Southwest Tours, as if he was the one in the card. This suspect some of the council members if Hyojin, said to be the Korean regional president, is telling the truth about himself.
He told the meeting that his group had been in Cebu, Boracay or Manila setting up tourist-related businesses and now here in Panglao. This revelation made the council suspicious that the Koreans’ venture may not be good.
The Korean community was invited to the meeting to tackle some of their concerns, like prostitution, paying tax allegedly without receipt, the Badjao (Bajao) mendicancy, no clear price tags and others.
Hyojin said that closure of whale shark attraction has caused the cancellation of the bookings of their customers who reserved six months before.
It was learned that the tourist market in Korea, Taiwan and Japan was the target when whale shark show booms. Tourists from these countries just wanted to see the whale shark, a tour guide said.
Speculations run high that Koreans might be using dummy scheme to set up their businesses in Panglao. This concern is also hazy that even the incumbent Panglao administration can’t provide concrete answer.
The Koreans’ suspicious, if not dubious, business has prompted a transport operator to allege that Korean seems to have everything, saying “they own everything,” from van for hire (some of which are feared to be colorum), supermarket, tour guides, and other things.
The council will look into helping the Koreans in their quest for solving the issues raised with other government agencies.
The said meeting was presided over by Atty. Doy Nunag of the PTC, Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte, Provincial Tourism Officer Joan Pinat, BEMO officer Tata Ganub, Western Plus resort manager Mr. Escoto, Bohol Beach Club manager Allan Santos, Panglao tourism officer, representatives of the transport, tour guides groups and others. (rvo)
