A South Korean national, around 50 years old, was found dead in a hotel room in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, prompting an investigation into the cause of death amid heightened concerns over organized online scam operations targeting South Korean citizens in the region.
Local police discovered the man’s body at approximately 8:00 PM local time. Identification documents, including his passport and mobile phone, were found with him, along with a handwritten letter.
While initial inquiries considered a potential link to criminal gangs, South Korean media reports now suggest this particular death is unlikely to be connected to the widespread online fraud schemes operating in the region.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) confirmed on Tuesday that it received a report from local police via a Korean community leader. Consular officials from the South Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh were immediately dispatched to the scene.
Cambodian local police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the man’s death.
The incident comes as the South Korean government intensifies efforts to address the issue of its citizens being lured into working for online scam operations within Cambodia.
This follows numerous cases in recent months where South Koreans have been victims of assault and kidnapping by such criminal rings in the country.
MOFA reiterated its commitment to providing full assistance to the deceased’s family, including support for funeral arrangements and repatriation of the body.