New york: South Korea and numerous U.N. member states have initiated an informal coalition focused on combating technology-facilitated human trafficking. This move follows Seoul's heightened diplomatic efforts to tackle this issue, highlighted by online scams in Cambodia last year that impacted South Korean citizens.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean mission to the U.N. and the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime organized an event to formally introduce the "Group of Friends for Combating Technology-facilitated Trafficking in Persons." This initiative underscores the pressing need for a unified global response to the challenges posed by digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, in facilitating human trafficking.

Seoul's Ambassador to the U.N., Cha Ji-hoon, emphasized the necessity of a coordinated approach to address these challenges, noting that no nation or region is immune. He recounted a tragic incident from the previous summer, involving a Korean university student who became a victim of an overseas online scam, which resulted in his kidnapping, torture, and death. This incident, the ambassador pointed out, was a stark reminder of the severe risks associated with human trafficking linked to online scams.

The ambassador further explained that the newly-formed group will act as a "flexible action-oriented platform" that is open to all member states. It aims to enhance awareness, share effective practices, facilitate discussions on emerging trends, and bolster international cooperation against traffickers who exploit digital platforms to recruit and control victims while concealing their illicit activities.