Seoul: Cambodia, once a favored destination for Korean travelers, has become increasingly perilous following a surge in kidnappings of Koreans by Chinese crime rings operating within the country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the number of Koreans reported kidnapped or missing in Cambodia has escalated significantly in recent years. In 2023, approximately 30 Koreans were abducted, a figure that spiked to 220 the following year, surging to 330 as of August this year. Most victims were ensnared by employment scams promising lucrative IT jobs, only to be forced into online scams by Chinese criminal syndicates upon arrival.
Survivors recount severe beatings and torture for not meeting scam performance targets, with some victims, including a Korean college student found dead in August, succumbing to the abuse. The student's body remains unrepatriated, igniting public outrage in Korea. The Korean government has faced criticism for its sluggish response to the abduction crisis. In an unprecedented diplomatic move, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun summoned Cambodian Ambassador Khuon Phon Rattanak, urging a crackdown on the crime networks. The summons reflects the gravity with which Seoul views the situation, as similar matters were previously addressed at a lower diplomatic level.
The foreign ministry has also raised its travel advisory for Phnom Penh, advising Koreans to reconsider travel plans and exercise caution. However, such measures alone may not suffice to halt the kidnappings. Seoul is urged to pursue joint crackdowns with Cambodia and other nations to dismantle the Chinese crime syndicates behind these transnational kidnappings.
A foreign ministry statement revealed complicity among some Koreans with Chinese criminal groups. After rescue, some refused consular help, returning to engage in scams. While this clarification sheds light on the complex crime network, it underscores the need for the Korean government to protect victims and prevent future crimes. President Lee Jae Myung's delayed response to the crisis has drawn criticism, especially given his swift actions in other international incidents. Only after public outcry did he initiate a diplomatic campaign for the release of kidnapped Koreans.
As harrowing survivor accounts emerge, the urgency for international cooperation to dismantle Chinese-led scam operations grows. Without decisive action, the number of victims will rise, risking an escalation of transnational crimes.