MANILA – South Korean authorities have expressed alarm over the deaths of Korean nationals in the country, and said they are "bothered" by reports of seven cases around the Philippines.

“In seven cases all over the Philippines, only one is solved. We are bothered,” said Kim Wan-Joong, director general of the South Korean Overseas Koreans and Consular Affairs Bureau.

However, Kim Dae Hee, consul at the South Korean Embassy, said they are “very satisfied” with the progress of the PNP’s investigation.

On October 12, the Philippine National Police (PNP) formed task force “Sooyungjung” to speed up its investigation into the deaths of three Koreans in Pampanga, which may have involved money.

“May mga inagrabyado silang negosyante, so posible na Korean din ang suspect,” said Police Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, regional director of the Central Luzon police.

South Korean police attaches visited the office of the PNP’s Regional Director for Central Luzon to get updates on the status of the investigation on the case involving the deaths of Sim Tae So, Maeng Jungyeon, and Park Yungfil, who were killed in Bacolor, Pampanga last month.