South Korea is dispatching a high-level diplomatic and law enforcement delegation to Cambodia to confront a rapidly escalating crisis involving its citizens, including a student’s death by torture and a sharp rise in detention-related complaints.
The special joint task force, led by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-ah, is traveling to Phnom Penh today. It comprises officials from South Korea’s National Police Agency, Ministry of Justice, and National Intelligence Service.
Their primary mission is to engage in high-level discussions with Cambodian authorities. They aim to expedite investigations into crimes against South Koreans, specifically the case of a student who died from torture in August.
The delegation will also press for joint investigative efforts and greater Cambodian cooperation on other reported crimes, including job scams and kidnappings targeting South Korean nationals.
This urgent intervention follows a dramatic surge in reported cases. Complaints of detention and kidnapping surged to 220 last year, dramatically up from just 17 in a preceding period.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry estimates that as of August, approximately 80 South Koreans who traveled to Cambodia cannot be contacted or their safety confirmed. This group is believed to include both genuine victims and individuals involved in illicit activities who have intentionally cut off communication.
Officials believe the sharp increase in crimes is linked to organized fraud syndicates relocating their operations. These groups have moved to Cambodia, where travel is reportedly easier, after the Golden Triangle region—bordering Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand—was declared a no-travel zone for South Koreans in early 2023.
The delegation will also discuss plans for the repatriation of 63 South Korean nationals currently detained in Cambodia on online fraud charges. While an initial plan prioritizes those with outstanding arrest warrants, many detainees have expressed a desire to remain in Cambodia, potentially complicating swift returns.
In a related development, the South Korean government is considering appointing Park Il, a former ambassador to Lebanon, to a special envoy or interim ambassador role in Cambodia. This move would aim to better manage the unfolding situation and fill the currently vacant ambassadorial position.