"It Was Supposed to Be a Retirement Trip"... Local Shock Over Korean Tourist Murdered in Guam

Two Suspects... $50,000 Reward Offered for Tips
Koreans Account for Over Half of Guam Tourists in the Past 3 Years

In Guam, a U.S. territory, there is growing concern locally about a security gap following the fatal shooting of a Korean tourist in his 50s by a group of robbers. There are also worries about the potential negative impact on the tourism industry due to this incident. While the suspects have not yet been apprehended, the Guam police have offered a reward for information leading to their capture.

The incident occurred on the evening of the 4th (local time) between 7:40 PM and 8:00 PM. At the time, a Korean tourist couple was walking from Gun Beach in the Tumon area of Guam toward the Tsubaki Tower Hotel when they encountered the robbers. A dark-colored sport utility vehicle (SUV) approached from behind the couple, carrying two people including the driver. One of them, armed with a firearm, got out of the vehicle and demanded the couple hand over their belongings. A physical struggle ensued between the suspects and the couple, during which the husband was shot. He was transported to the hospital but ultimately passed away the following morning.

The view of Tumon area in Guam
Photo by Yonhap News

Local media outlets such as Pacific Daily News and Guam News reported that the deceased man had come to Guam with his wife to celebrate his retirement when the tragedy occurred. The wife is currently in deep grief and reportedly asked, "Why did this happen?" Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero conveyed this. Governor Guerrero visited the hospital and said, "Today is a very sad and tragic day in the lives of the tourist from Korea and his family," adding, "The wife wishes to hold her husband's funeral in Korea, and the government is working to honor that wish."

The suspects fled immediately after the crime, and no detailed information about them has been released yet. Guam police explained that the area where the shooting occurred was very dark, making it difficult to obtain clear descriptions of the driver and the shooter. They pledged to deploy all available resources for the investigation and announced a $50,000 (approximately 66 million KRW) reward for tips regarding the suspects.

The First Tourist Murder Case in Guam in 10 Years

The incident has shocked the local community, which is also concerned that the tourism industry?just beginning to recover after the COVID-19 pandemic?may suffer setbacks. This is the first murder case involving tourists in Guam since 2013, when three Japanese tourists were stabbed to death.

Police tape is wrapped around the site of the shooting incident.
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

Cal Gutierrez, CEO of the Guam Visitors Bureau, expressed deep concern about the incident, stating, "We want to emphasize that Guam is a very safe place." He mentioned environmental factors that could foster crime, such as poorly lit streets and abandoned houses or buildings where criminals might hide and target tourists, and said measures will be taken to improve these conditions. He also added that the Visitors Bureau is considering conducting its own local patrols to help prevent crime.

Local residents have also expressed shock and condolences for the deceased. Comments on local media coverage included statements such as, "Condolences to the wife and family of the deceased," "Even though Guam is safer than other places, it is not completely safe for visitors," "This incident is enough to dampen the perception of safety among travelers who prioritize security," and "The suspects must be caught quickly." Another netizen wrote, "This is truly shameful and horrific," adding, "Everyone in Guam works hard to attract and welcome Korean tourists, so it is sad that some lowlifes rob and kill them," and expressed sympathy for the victim and his family.

Korean tourists hold a very significant position in Guam. Over the past three years, they have accounted for more than half of the total 602,594 tourists visiting Guam.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.