SEOUL, October 17 (AJP) -Growing reports of kidnappings and detentions involving South Koreans in Cambodia are fueling widespread anxiety among travelers, casting a shadow over Southeast Asia’s peak winter tourism season.
According to Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of South Korean citizens abducted or detained in Cambodia has surged from 36 cases between 2021 and 2023 to 221 in 2024, and 330 cases in just the first eight months of this year — many linked to online fraud and scam centers.
Public concern deepened after the body of a 22-year-old South Korean student, who disappeared during a trip in July, was discovered near Bokor Mountain showing signs of torture. In another recent case, a 50-year-old man was kidnapped and tortured in Phnom Penh.
Amid escalating fears, Seoul issued its strongest travel advisory to date. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday imposed a Level-4 “travel ban” on Kampot’s Bokor Mountain area and the border cities of Bavet and Poipet, designating them as no-travel zones.
Sihanoukville was placed under Level-3 (“advisory to leave the area”), while other regions — including Phnom Penh — were categorized as Level-2 or 2.5 (“special travel advisory”). The ministry warned that citizens who defy the ban could face penalties under the Passport Law.
Although Cambodia is a relatively minor destination compared with Da Nang or Phuket, the incidents have triggered broader unease across the region. Social media posts and travel forums have amplified unverified rumors of “cross-border kidnappings” in Thailand and Vietnam, prompting some Korean families to cancel trips even to destinations not covered by official warnings.
Data from major travel agencies underscore Southeast Asia’s weight in Korea’s outbound tourism market. Hana Tour reported that in the fourth quarter of 2024, Southeast Asian packages accounted for 45 percent of total bookings, while Modetour saw the share exceed 58 percent in December. The region’s warm climate, affordability, and proximity have long made it a top choice for Korean travelers during winter.
For now, industry players say the immediate impact on bookings remains limited. A Modetour official noted, “There are no direct flights to Siem Reap, so demand was already low. We haven’t received any cancellations.” Hana Tour echoed that sentiment, saying, “Phnom Penh is mainly a business destination. While inquiries have increased, we don’t expect mass cancellations.”
Still, airlines are on alert. T’way Air, which had planned charter flights from Incheon and Busan to Siem Reap from Dec. 19 through March 2026, is monitoring conditions closely. “We have not altered our schedule yet, but changes are possible depending on developments,” a company representative said.
Korean Air, meanwhile, said it would exempt cancellation fees in response to heightened safety concerns, though it has no plans to alter its seven-day-a-week flight schedule to Phnom Penh.
Travel agencies are reinforcing safety protocols. The Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA) said it has distributed updated safety guidelines to member companies in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. “Most of the incidents involve individual travelers. Package tours with guides remain relatively safe,” the association said.
The government is also strengthening law enforcement cooperation with Phnom Penh.
Earlier this week, National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak announced the launch of a Cambodia–Korea Joint Task Force to crack down on online scam syndicates and expedite support for victims. Seoul is considering providing official development assistance to bolster Cambodia’s policing capacity and expand South Korean police presence in high-risk areas.
A senior tourism official said, “Crime and illegal prostitution remain issues not only in Cambodia but across Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. If such incidents persist, the region’s long-term appeal for Korean travelers could inevitably decline.”
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