Lee holds talks with Canadian PM in Gyeongju SEOUL, October 30 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung agreed to expand cooperation in the defense and economic sectors with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during their summit on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea's historic city of Gyeongju. Hailing the North American country as a "key ally," Lee highlighted the special relationship between the two nations, recalling Canada's military support during the 1950–53 Korean War, during which it dispatched 27,000 troops and suffered nearly 400 casualties. He also praised Canada's pioneering work in artificial intelligence (AI)-related research, saying it would contribute to the advancement of the global community. Highlighting the growing cultural exchanges between the two countries, Lee cited Netflix's hit animation "KPop Demon Hunters," directed by Korean-Canadian filmmaker Maggie Kang, as a successful example. Carney responded by describing South Korea as a crucial partner for Ottawa across defense, commerce, and culture. He also suggested expanding cooperation in trade and defense, marking the 10th anniversary of the free trade agreement between the two countries. The summit, which came about months after the two met at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta in June, was also attended by key officials from both countries including Canada's Chief of Staff Marc-André Blanchard and South Korea's national security adviser Wi Sung-lac. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-30 14:10:35

Seoul raises alert, protection for Koreans in Cambodia amid rising crimes SEOUL, October 13 (AJP) - South Korea is beefing up protection measures for its nationals abroad following the violent killing of a Korean college student in Cambodia. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac on Monday chaired a task force meeting at the presidential office with senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, and National Police Agency to devise coordinated action against the recent murder and related crimes. President Lee Jae-myung over the weekend ordered the Foreign Ministry to make the protection of citizens overseas, particularly in Cambodia, a top priority. Following the president’s directive, the government is making multifaceted efforts to protect our citizens from job scams and detentions in Cambodia,” the presidential office said in a statement. “We will enforce strict legal measures against organized crime.” The response comes after the body of a South Korean student was discovered in Cambodia’s Kampot Province in August. Repatriation of the victim’s body has been delayed, while additional cases of Koreans falling prey to similar crimes have since emerged. Cambodia’s state news agency AKP reported that three Chinese nationals in their 30s and 40s have been indicted by local prosecutors for allegedly torturing and killing the Korean student near Bokor Mountain in Kampot. They were charged with murder and fraud as part of a broader crackdown on online scam syndicates operating in the country. The National Police Agency said Sunday it will hold a bilateral meeting with Cambodian police on Thursday to discuss measures to prevent further crimes against Koreans. NPA Commissioner Park Sung-joo is also considering a visit to Cambodia to press for stronger cooperation. The agency plans to strengthen coordination with Interpol, dispatch 30 additional officers for cross-border investigations, and discuss establishing a dedicated “Korean Desk” within the Cambodian national police to handle cases involving Koreans. The South Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh currently has one police officer and two liaison officers, a level deemed insufficient amid a surge in scams and detentions. The ruling party is also pushing for stronger legal grounds to protect Koreans abroad. “The recent incidents in Cambodia have exposed the limitations of our current system, which is reactive rather than preventive,” Democratic Party Rep. Park said on social media. He called for swift passage of his amendment to the Consular Assistance Act to institutionalize continuous risk monitoring in crisis regions and establish an emergency protocol for coordination among the Foreign Ministry, National Intelligence Service, and local embassies. “It’s time for state systems — not individual courage or chance — to safeguard our citizens’ lives,” he said. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry on Friday raised its travel advisory for Phnom Penh to a special advisory, urging Koreans to exercise extreme caution or postpone nonessential travel. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also summoned the Cambodian ambassador in Seoul to demand stronger action against the surge in online scams and detentions targeting Korean nationals. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-13 13:55:51

Seoul moves to confront rising crimes against Koreans in Cambodia SEOUL, October 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s presidential office convened a task force meeting on Monday to address a surge in crimes targeting South Korean nationals in Cambodia, including a string of abductions and job-related scams that have alarmed families and prompted calls for stronger protection measures. Wi Sung-lak, head of the National Security Office, chaired the meeting, which brought together senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, Justice Ministry, and National Police Agency. The group discussed coordinated actions to combat fraudulent recruitment operations, illegal detentions, and other organized crimes involving South Koreans in Cambodia, the presidential office said. The meeting came in response to several recent incidents, most notably the death of a South Korean student in Cambodia’s Kampot Province in August. President Lee Jae Myung ordered the Foreign Ministry over the weekend to “prioritize the safety and protection of citizens abroad,” citing growing public concern over conditions in Cambodia. Cambodia has in recent years emerged as a troubling hotspot for kidnapping and forced-labor cases involving foreign nationals, including South Koreans. Dozens of Koreans have reportedly been lured by online job scams promising high salaries, only to be detained by criminal networks that force victims to engage in illegal activities such as online gambling or cryptocurrency fraud. South Korean police have cooperated with Cambodian authorities to rescue victims and crack down on such operations, but officials say the problem persists amid weak law enforcement and porous borders in the region. The presidential office said Monday’s task force will develop stronger legal and diplomatic responses, including faster consular support and closer coordination with Cambodian law enforcement. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-13 13:36:42

Seoul making "upmost" diplomatic efforts for release of a Korean from Israeli detention SEOUL, October 09 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered the utmost diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe release and return of a South Korean national aboard a Gaza-bound aid vessel detained by Israeli forces, the presidential office said Thursday. The president directed the government to carry out all possible diplomatic endeavors for the swift and safe return of the Korean citizen, identified as Kim Ah-hyun, after being briefed on the matter, according to a written statement from presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung. Kim was aboard one of 11 humanitarian ships bound for Gaza that were intercepted by Israeli forces on Wednesday. Israel’s foreign ministry said in a post on X that all passengers were in “good health,” had been safely transferred to an Israeli port, and were expected to be deported “promptly.” The latest flotilla, carrying food and medical supplies to the war-torn Gaza Strip, reportedly included hundreds of passengers from various countries. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), backed by the United Nations, recently confirmed that famine conditions have been observed in Gaza City — the main target of Israel’s military campaign — as a result of prolonged malnutrition during the two-year Hamas-Israeli conflict. The Korean foreign ministry said it is working closely with the Korean Embassy in Israel to ensure the “safe and fair” return of its citizen. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-10-09 12:02:22

Lee seeks UN chief's help for peace on Korean Peninsula SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for the UN's cooperation to ensure peace and security on the Korean Peninsula during a meeting with Secretary-General António Guterres. After delivering his keynote speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, Lee met with Guterres, praising his leadership at the multilateral organization, stressing the UN's "crucial" role in addressing global crises and resolving international disputes. Lee highlighted South Korea's dramatic transition from an aid recipient to a donor and pledged that the country would play a greater role in addressing global challenges. He also expressed support for UN-led reforms and promised South Korea's contribution to making the UN more effective, while asking for more opportunities for South Korean talent to work in international organizations. Calling South Korea a "trusted partner" on global issues such as humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and human rights, Guterres pledged to strengthen relations with the country. Lee is now set to preside an artificial intelligence (AI)-themed open debate on Wednesday, making him the first South Korean leader to do so. * This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP. 2025-09-24 10:47:01