In Thailand and Vietnam, incidents involving Koreans fighting among themselves or assaulting locals have become a subject of criticism. As related videos and photos spread rapidly on social media, concerns have arisen about a 'deterioration of the national image.'
According to local media such as Pattaya News and Pattaya Mail, approximately 10 Korean tourists engaged in a fight at a restaurant in Pattaya, a tourist destination in Thailand, on the 11th. The video that went viral on social media shows several men, including one with tattoos and no shirt, tangled together throwing punches and engaging in a brawl. As the fight erupted in the large restaurant, many guests screamed and fled.
The police detained four Korean tourists for questioning. According to local reports, they got into a fight after arguing while dining at the same table. The restaurant demanded 100,000 baht (approximately 426,000 won) for the unpaid meal and compensation from those involved in the brawl, and it is reported that they complied with the restaurant's request. The police charged them with offenses related to fighting in a public place, imposed fines, and then released them.
On the same day, two Korean women reportedly assaulted two Vietnamese women at a photo booth in the Miding area, a Korean town in Hanoi, Vietnam. According to local media such as Tuoi Tre and Vietnam News (VNS), one of the Korean women, waiting for her turn, assaulted a Vietnamese woman who was taking photos ahead of her by slapping her and knocking off her hat. A physical altercation broke out, with the Korean woman who initiated the violence kicking the fallen Vietnamese woman.
According to store employees, the Korean women were reportedly yelling and urging the Vietnamese women to finish their photo session quickly, even though there was still time left for them to take pictures. One of the Koreans is said to be an employee of a local Korean corporation. Upon learning of the incident, the local police initially reviewed the footage and conducted an investigation with witnesses, and they reportedly plan to prioritize questioning the victims soon.
Online, posts containing footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) of the incident and explanations from those claiming to be victims have spread, leading to an increase in negative public sentiment toward Korea in the local area. In Korea as well, reactions have emerged regarding the 'misconduct of Koreans' in Thailand and Vietnam, such as 'What kind of disgrace is this for the country?' and 'Those who caused problems should be banned from entering.'