(Seoul/Phnom Penh, 30th, Combined News) On Friday, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung issued a stern warning on his personal social media to transnational crime groups based in Cambodia that scam South Korean citizens, emphasizing that the Seoul government will thoroughly investigate and dismantle the relevant criminal networks.
In statements released in both Korean and Khmer, Lee Jae-myung stated: "Anyone who dares to harm South Korean citizens will bring about their own destruction, possibly even implicating their families." He reiterated that previous warnings were by no means empty words and pledged that Korea would pursue these cases to the end. This move extends the policy announced last October: an all-out crackdown on international criminal organizations in Southeast Asia causing harm to Korean citizens.
Under Lee Jae-myung's leadership, the Korean government has taken proactive measures to curb cases of kidnapping, forced labor, and online fraud. Key outcomes include: the establishment of a Korean liaison center—since November last year, Korea dispatched 7 police officers who, together with 12 Cambodian police officers, formed a joint working group embedded in local police stations to strengthen coordination. Arrests and rescues: As of last Wednesday, police had arrested 136 criminal suspects and rescued four kidnapped individuals. Large-scale extradition: On January 23, 73 Korean suspects were extradited at one time, involving fraud against 869 victims, with total losses of approximately $33.8 million. Diplomatic cooperation: President Lee instructed the foreign ministry to fully utilize diplomatic channels and work with neighboring governments to eradicate transnational scam syndicate bases.
The South Korean government's actions demonstrate its firm stance on protecting citizens from the threat of transnational crime, especially after incidents of abduction and death by scam syndicates last year, by further strengthening law enforcement and international cooperation.
Observers noted that this strengthened Korea-Cambodia cooperation could effectively combat regional transnational scams and "grey area" crimes, and could also serve as a deterrent to Korean syndicates working for Chinese gangs overseas.
Under Lee Jae-myung's leadership, the Korean government has taken proactive measures to curb cases of kidnapping, forced labor, and online fraud. Key outcomes include: the establishment of a Korean liaison center—since November last year, Korea dispatched 7 police officers who, together with 12 Cambodian police officers, formed a joint working group embedded in local police stations to strengthen coordination. Arrests and rescues: As of last Wednesday, police had arrested 136 criminal suspects and rescued four kidnapped individuals. Large-scale extradition: On January 23, 73 Korean suspects were extradited at one time, involving fraud against 869 victims, with total losses of approximately $33.8 million. Diplomatic cooperation: President Lee instructed the foreign ministry to fully utilize diplomatic channels and work with neighboring governments to eradicate transnational scam syndicate bases.
The South Korean government's actions demonstrate its firm stance on protecting citizens from the threat of transnational crime, especially after incidents of abduction and death by scam syndicates last year, by further strengthening law enforcement and international cooperation.
Observers noted that this strengthened Korea-Cambodia cooperation could effectively combat regional transnational scams and "grey area" crimes, and could also serve as a deterrent to Korean syndicates working for Chinese gangs overseas.