



By Jung Min-ho







Twenty-three Korean citizens have been banned from entering the Philippines for being rude and disrespectful to airport staff.





According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 Koreans were denied entry and blacklisted in 2018 for showing arrogance or using foul language to immigration officers.





"Being on the blacklist means you won't be able to enter the Philippines for at least one year," the ministry said on Facebook on Jan. 23.





"To avoid such trouble, please be polite when talking to Philippine officials. If you don't respond to their questions or raise your voices, you may be denied permission to enter the country. Therefore, you should be able to speak English or have someone who can."





Statistics show that 133 foreigners were blacklisted that year. Chinese nationals topped the list with 37, followed by Americans (25) and Koreans.





Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the bureau would not tolerate foreigners who "exhibit arrogance or make offensive utterances" to airport staff.





"While we have been instructed to observe maximum tolerance, arrogant and discourteous foreigners are sent back and blacklisted," she said in a statement. "Symbols of the country, such as authorities, should be respected."

