Kim was handcuffed and arrested by policemen who were invited by Humberto Tayag, executive director of the Business Establishments Monitoring and Regulatory Compliance Office (Besmorco), in serving a closure order issued by this city's Mayor Francis Nepomuceno.
The Koreans, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there is now a growing distrust in the city's administration because of the "highhanded treatment" received by Kim.
They said City Hall officials did not even apologized to Kim, whom they said was accused wrongly.
They noted reports that it was obvious that the city officials had committed an error. They said with their enthusiasm to close the hotel, they submitted false reports to Nepomuceno.
The Koreans pointed out that they were aware that the hotel has not opened to guests and said that Kim is keen on complying with Philippine and the city business laws.
They added that many Koreans who learned of the incident expressed sympathy to Kim because he was arrested as a result of allegedly false reports submitted made by officials to the mayor.
It was learned that Kim has been in the country for over 10 years and is the vice president of the Korean community here, which has been instrumental in attracting their country men into investing and providing employment in this city.
They said tourists are now planning to change their minds and are thinking of putting up their businesses in other cities in Central Luzon.
