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.
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