South Korea’s top diplomat pressed Cambodia to intensify efforts against rampant online scam operations, a move spurred by public outrage following the death of a South Korean student allegedly linked to these illicit networks.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh on November 10. The primary objective of the visit was to accelerate the crackdown on these fast-growing operations.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated prior to the visit that discussions would focus on “cooperation to eradicate call center crimes in Cambodia.”
A key measure discussed is the formation of a “Korea-Cambodia Joint Working Group.” This group will include police officials from both nations to tackle the complex problem involving South Korean citizens.
The push comes after the death of Park Min-ho, a 22-year-old South Korean student. His body was found in August in a pickup truck near Bokor Mountain, in southern Cambodia’s Kampot province.
Authorities believe Park was assaulted and tortured before his death. The incident triggered significant public anger and prompted Seoul to dispatch an urgent delegation for negotiations.
Online scam operations have surged across Southeast Asia in recent years. Victims are frequently lured or coerced into working in tightly controlled and often violent scam centers.
United Nations data indicates these cybercrimes generate billions of U.S. dollars annually for transnational criminal organizations. Scammers typically use personal connections or fraudulent investment pitches to defraud victims worldwide.
South Korean officials estimate that approximately 200,000 individuals work in Cambodian scam centers. This figure includes about 1,000 South Korean citizens.
Last month, Cambodian police arrested and repatriated 64 South Koreans via a charter flight. More than 50 of them face charges related to online fraud activities.
Minister Cho Hyun’s visit follows a previous delegation last month led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah and members of the South Korean parliament. This reflects Seoul’s sustained diplomatic pressure to dismantle regional online scam operations.