Seoul: The number of kidnapping and detention cases involving South Korean nationals overseas has surged twentyfold over the past four years, mainly due to a rise in transnational criminal operations, as recent data revealed.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the data submitted by the foreign ministry to Rep. Kim Joon-hwan of the ruling Democratic Party indicated a significant increase in such cases, escalating from 31 cases in 2021 to 624 cases by 2025. This rise appears to be linked to transnational criminal operations uncovered in recent years in countries like Cambodia. Here, organized crime groups have been accused of luring South Koreans and other foreign nationals into online scam operations.

Overall, the number of incidents involving South Koreans abroad reached 19,359 last year, a notable increase from 6,498 cases in 2021. The figures climbed steadily, with 11,323 cases in 2022, 15,769 in 2023, and 17,283 in 2024.

Serious crimes involving South Korean nationals abroad were also reported in 2025, including 24 homicide cases, 108 robberies, and 114 cases of sexual assault. By region, Europe recorded the largest number of incidents, totaling 20,716 cases over the 2021-2025 period. Theft accounted for 7,111 cases in the region, surpassing the 5,932 loss-related incidents reported during the cited period, the data showed.