Korea Issues travel warning: Philippines & Indonesia

The Government of the single largest group of Asian tourists of late to stream to these islands, Korea has issued a terror warning on travel to both the Philippines and Indonesia citing reports of possible terrorism related activities in the two countries.

Travel Warnings for Indonesia, Philippines Korea Times, South Korea – The National Intelligent Service (NIS) has advised people not to travel to the Philippines and Indonesia till the end of October,

If there is something up and Koreans know about it. One wonders at the wording and group described in the report as per the Korean National Intelligence service as seen as behind this warning:

[] ” … the threat of terrorism is rising after the New People’s Army (NPA) attacked the Philippine military on Aug. 8 and information was uncovered detailing a plot to blow up Manila’s financial area and hotels in mid-August.

Western facilities or foreigners themselves have been terrorist targets and the NIS had previously warned people against visiting those facilities and tourist attractions. Security has been tightened around hotels and tourist spots in the two countries. …” [] Korea Times

The source if not the normal route of things which usually  show actions taken by groups more from the extremists of JI or the Abu Sayyaf. Per Government sources tonight Friday in manila – they are taking precautions- some groups see as economic strong points of government – financial districts BPO centers and Tourism locations.

But, then again when your next door neighbor is the other half a country divided in fifty years of war by ideology- it may see other groups as more threatening than the ASG or JI or others more known for bomb attacks.

One wonders if the Korean tourists will heed the warnings. Either way attack or not it will affect the tourism trade somewhat. Korea is not known to issue advisory’s lightly.
Such a shame though that not more specific information – such as the extent of the threat and risk.

While one can never really blame any country for taking precautions vs. clear and present information of danger – perhaps more direct information would not make an entire country ‘a no-go or go with extreme caution” set of places.