Effective, July 19, 2007, the South Korean embassy lifted the suspension of visa processing of Filipino workers. Only three days had passed since the Embassy implemented the suspension because of the alleged extortion activities of some immigration officials to Korean nationals in the Philippines.

The embassy lifted the suspension order after the Bureau of Immigration immediately responded by saying it would do what it can to stop the extortion activities.

Marcelino Libanan, an Immigration Commissioner confirmed the report that some officials were involved in extortion activities against Koreans. However, Libanan also said that probably other reason for the suspension is the implementation of strict rules of the Philippine government against overstaying Koreans or to those who are doing business here without the legal documents.

According to Libanan, “They may have been offended because the Bureau of Immigration has this program. We are not singling out Koreans in our county. This program affects all foreigners who engage in retail trade and violate our laws.”