Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for relevant ministries to use "all available resources" to help South Korean nationals kidnapped in Cambodia over job scams return home. Lee made the call during a Cabinet meeting as the reported kidnappings of Korean nationals jumped this year over job scams and the torture death of a college student that prompted Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to summon Cambodia's ambassador.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized the need for related ministries to expedite the establishment of a regular communication channel between the law enforcement authorities of South Korea and Cambodia. This initiative is aimed at facilitating swift cooperation through consultations with the Cambodian government, ensuring that Korean nationals kidnapped in Cambodia are promptly found and repatriated.

Furthermore, Lee instructed the government to immediately implement all available measures to protect Korean nationals in Cambodia. This includes strengthening travel restrictions to areas where the risk of crimes is high, reflecting the increased urgency to safeguard citizens against the backdrop of rising job scam-related kidnappings.

The President's instructions underscore the growing concern over the safety of South Korean nationals abroad and highlight the need for enhanced diplomatic and law enforcement collaboration to address these challenges effectively.