The whereabouts of three athletes from Nepal, two from Sri Lanka, and one each from Bangladesh and the Palestinian territories are unknown, police inspector Baek Seung-cheol said on Wednesday. A TV reporter from Pakistan was also missing, he added.
Police believe there was a possibility that the eight were looking to work illegally in the country, and have been focusing their search efforts in the nearby city of Ansan, which has a large community of migrant workers.
Police said the athletes' visas expire on Oct. 19, and the reporter's on Oct. 30.
Nearly 10,000 athletes competed in the Asian Games.