Kuala lumpur: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet extended his condolences during a summit with President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea, following the death of a South Korean college student involved in a scam operation in Cambodia. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where both leaders focused on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing online scam crimes.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the incident has sparked public outrage in South Korea. Manet described the student's death as an "unfortunate incident" and assured that Cambodian authorities have taken swift action to dismantle scam centers and apprehend those responsible. He emphasized the importance of regional cooperation to combat cross-border crimes such as drug and human trafficking, labeling the issue as a regional rather than a national problem.

President Lee acknowledged the heightened sensitivity among South Koreans concerning scam-related crimes and expressed appreciation for Cambodia's efforts to ensure the safety of Korean citizens. The remains of the South Korean student, who was allegedly tortured to death by a criminal organization in Cambodia, were repatriated last week, two months after his death. This case led the Korean government to send a delegation to Cambodia to address the growing crime issue and to impose travel restrictions on certain areas where Korean nationals have been detained.

The summit also provided an opportunity for the two leaders to explore ways to enhance bilateral relations. President Lee committed to supporting Cambodia's development and expressed a desire to increase reciprocal visits and high-level communication. Prime Minister Manet highlighted South Korea's role as a key investor and major source of tourism for Cambodia, expressing a willingness to expand cooperation in the areas of security and defense.