Seoul: South Korea is intensifying efforts to bring back approximately 60 nationals detained by Cambodian authorities due to job scams, with a goal of repatriation by this weekend. This was announced by National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac as a joint response team prepared to depart for Phnom Penh to address crimes targeting Koreans, following public outrage over the torture and death of a Korean student.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Wi Sung-lac informed reporters that around 60 Korean suspects are currently in custody following apprehension by Cambodian law enforcement in a job scam crackdown. Separately, South Korea's foreign ministry reported that about 80 Koreans linked to job scams in Cambodia are missing or their safety cannot be confirmed.
"Our top priority is to bring home some 60 Koreans detained by Cambodian authorities. It is important to swiftly remove them from the crime scene," Wi stated. "We are making efforts to repatriate them by this weekend." He emphasized that upon their return to Korea, the individuals will face investigation and potential legal action based on their involvement in the scams.
The surge in crimes against South Koreans in Cambodia has garnered significant attention, particularly after the brutal torture and death of a college student in August. The student's body has not yet been repatriated due to delays in the joint autopsy procedures involving Korean and Cambodian officials. Wi indicated that both nations plan to conduct the autopsy together and expedite the return of the body.
Wi highlighted the importance of coordination with Cambodian authorities to locate South Koreans potentially held by criminal organizations involved in online scams. "One of the most urgent tasks right now is to quickly bring back to Korea those who may still be held in confinement or whose whereabouts have not yet been confirmed," he said.
Approximately 200,000 individuals of various nationalities are believed to be involved in online scam operations in Cambodia, including an estimated 1,000 South Koreans. Wi noted that the South Korean government is also working to prevent its citizens from traveling to Cambodia for fraudulent, high-paying jobs linked to scams such as voice phishing.
When questioned about the potential impact of crimes targeting Koreans on Seoul's official development assistance (ODA) to Cambodia, Wi clarified that the two issues are not directly related. "ODA should be assessed based on the validity of its own objectives, and that evaluation should be made on a project-by-project basis," he explained.