Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated on his official social media account on the 16th that he met in Phnom Penh with South Korea's Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jin-a to discuss joint efforts to crack down on cybercrime.
Hun Manet said that cooperation between Cambodian and South Korean authorities has yielded many achievements over the years. He stated, “Cambodia and South Korea will continue to strengthen cooperation to more effectively prevent, stop, and combat cyber fraud, contributing to the maintenance of peace, public order, and social security.”
Regarding bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and South Korea in fighting cyber fraud, Hun Manet noted that the two countries possess sufficient capabilities and means to solve this issue through bilateral cooperation, without the need for any third-party intervention.
According to a press release issued by the Cambodian side after the meeting, Cambodian authorities have so far arrested and repatriated 180 South Korean nationals suspected of involvement in cyber fraud.
Previously, South Korean media quoted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that as of August, about 80 South Korean nationals in Cambodia were still missing. In response, the press release stated that Cambodian authorities are conducting searches and investigations.
On the 14th, the Seoul government banned its citizens from traveling to certain areas of Cambodia and sent a government delegation to the country to discuss cases related to fake jobs, scam compounds, and the kidnapping of dozens of South Korean nationals.