SEOUL, October 15 (AJP) - Around 80 South Koreans are being held in Phnom Penh but are refusing to return home, Cambodian authorities said on Wednesday.
Touch Sokhak, a spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of Interior, told China's state-run Xinhua News the previous day that South Korean officials have contacted these individuals, but they refuse to return to Seoul.
But he added that he was unsure whether they are the same as the 80 missing people the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said remain unaccounted for.
According to the Cambodian ministry, police are tracking down two accomplices and expanding their investigation to locate other suspects, working closely with the South Korean Embassy.
But the figures vary, with National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac saying during a press briefing that about 60 South Koreans are currently in custody in Cambodia over alleged online job scams and phishing schemes.
"Around 200,000 people from various countries are reportedly involved in numerous crime rings in Cambodia," he said. "Recent crackdowns have led to the arrest of thousands including more than 1,000 Chinese nationals and over 60 South Koreans."
He added the government is making efforts to bring them back by this weekend.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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