Seoul: South Korea's Foreign Minister, Cho Hyun, announced on Monday that the government is considering "extraordinary measures" to address the increasing number of job scams and incidents of illegal confinement affecting South Korean nationals in Cambodia. These measures may include sending personnel to airlift those awaiting return to South Korea.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho's remarks were made during a parliamentary audit of his ministry, following public concerns over the safety of South Koreans in Cambodia, especially after the torture and death of a South Korean college student in August. Cho stated that discussions with Cambodian authorities are ongoing regarding the dispatch of personnel to facilitate the return of affected nationals by plane. He emphasized the ministry's commitment to implementing extraordinary countermeasures.

In the first eight months of the year, South Korean diplomatic missions in Cambodia reported 330 incidents related to job scams and illegal confinement. In response, President Lee Jae Myung ordered comprehensive diplomatic efforts to protect South Korean nationals from such crimes.

Earlier, the presidential office announced plans for a meeting of a pan-government task force to discuss strategies to combat employment scams and illegal confinements targeting South Koreans in Cambodia. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac will lead the meeting, which will involve officials from the ministries of foreign affairs and justice, along with the National Police Agency.

The meeting aims to evaluate the recent surge in crimes involving South Koreans in Cambodia and consider ways to enhance their protection and safety through improved cooperation with Cambodian authorities. The government has pledged to enforce laws against crime organizations involved in these scams to prevent further harm to its citizens.