(Seoul, 13th) Facing a sharp rise in cases of Koreans in Cambodia being kidnapped, forced into scams and labor, Seoul authorities have pledged to strengthen diplomatic and security measures to fully protect the safety of Korean citizens in Cambodia.
Official data show that from January to August this year, Korea reported 330 kidnapping cases involving its citizens in Cambodia to authorities, a significant increase compared to 220 in the same period in 2024; in contrast, only two cases were recorded in 2021, eleven in 2022, and twenty-one in 2023.
Korean President Lee Jae-myung has ordered 'all-out diplomatic efforts to protect Koreans in Cambodia from criminal harm' and asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant departments to strengthen cooperation with Cambodia.
Since Friday (October 10th), Korea has issued a special travel advisory for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also repeatedly warned citizens to beware of fake job offers luring them with high salaries, to avoid being taken to scam operations where they may be kidnapped or forced to participate in crimes. The presidential office also indicated that the foreign ministry has sought cooperation from Cambodian authorities and will take additional measures as necessary, though it did not elaborate on details.
Several recent rescue operations highlight the severity of the problem. Ruling party lawmaker Park Chan-dae said that his office, together with victims' families and government departments, has rescued a number of Korean nationals in Cambodia. He also revealed that his team participated in a rescue operation near Kampot this August, freeing fourteen Koreans; a body discovered during the operation was later identified as a Korean exchange student.
The Korean side is coordinating with Cambodian counterparts on the repatriation of the remains and plans to conduct a joint autopsy with local authorities. Officials stated that the student was kidnapped and extorted about a month after arriving in Cambodia, and that the autopsy found the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to torture.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that some of those trapped in scam operations had denied being kidnapped and even claimed willingness to stay, complicating rescue efforts; therefore, Korea has requested that Cambodia lower the evidence threshold when launching rescues.
Korea believes that Cambodia's requirement to 'present photos or video of the kidnapee' before initiating a rescue sets too high a bar, arguing that a rescue should begin immediately upon provision of basic identification and suspected detention location of the victim.
Official data show that from January to August this year, Korea reported 330 kidnapping cases involving its citizens in Cambodia to authorities, a significant increase compared to 220 in the same period in 2024; in contrast, only two cases were recorded in 2021, eleven in 2022, and twenty-one in 2023.
Korean President Lee Jae-myung has ordered 'all-out diplomatic efforts to protect Koreans in Cambodia from criminal harm' and asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant departments to strengthen cooperation with Cambodia.
Since Friday (October 10th), Korea has issued a special travel advisory for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also repeatedly warned citizens to beware of fake job offers luring them with high salaries, to avoid being taken to scam operations where they may be kidnapped or forced to participate in crimes. The presidential office also indicated that the foreign ministry has sought cooperation from Cambodian authorities and will take additional measures as necessary, though it did not elaborate on details.
Several recent rescue operations highlight the severity of the problem. Ruling party lawmaker Park Chan-dae said that his office, together with victims' families and government departments, has rescued a number of Korean nationals in Cambodia. He also revealed that his team participated in a rescue operation near Kampot this August, freeing fourteen Koreans; a body discovered during the operation was later identified as a Korean exchange student.
The Korean side is coordinating with Cambodian counterparts on the repatriation of the remains and plans to conduct a joint autopsy with local authorities. Officials stated that the student was kidnapped and extorted about a month after arriving in Cambodia, and that the autopsy found the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to torture.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that some of those trapped in scam operations had denied being kidnapped and even claimed willingness to stay, complicating rescue efforts; therefore, Korea has requested that Cambodia lower the evidence threshold when launching rescues.
Korea believes that Cambodia's requirement to 'present photos or video of the kidnapee' before initiating a rescue sets too high a bar, arguing that a rescue should begin immediately upon provision of basic identification and suspected detention location of the victim.