South Korea announced that approximately 1,000 of its citizens are believed to be trapped in Cambodia’s notorious online scam operations, a crisis that has gripped the nation following the tragic death of a college student. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac revealed that an estimated 200,000 individuals from various countries are involved in these global scam networks, targeting victims worldwide, including South Koreans.
In response, Seoul is deploying a high-level delegation, led by the Vice Foreign Minister, to Cambodia on Wednesday evening to negotiate repatriation and investigate these criminal enterprises. The government has vowed to bring all affected nationals home by the end of the week.
The situation came into sharp focus after the horrific killing of a South Korean student, whose body was discovered in a pickup truck on August 8, bearing signs of severe torture. Cambodian authorities have charged three Chinese nationals with murder and online fraud, with the suspects currently in pre-trial detention.
According to Seoul’s foreign ministry, 330 South Koreans were reported missing or detained in Cambodia between January and August 2025, with the number later reduced to 80, including 63 currently detained. These individuals include both voluntary and involuntary participants in the scam operations, though Wi noted that most are considered complicit in criminal activities, regardless of their initial intent.
South Korea’s response team, comprising police and intelligence officials, will collaborate with Cambodian authorities to secure the release of detained citizens and conduct a joint investigation into the student’s death. The presidential office emphasized that Seoul will exhaust all diplomatic channels to ensure Cambodia’s cooperation. The scams, often disguised as lucrative job opportunities, have lured many victims into human trafficking networks, exploiting them through forced labor and coercion. Amnesty International reports that at least 53 scam compounds in Cambodia engage in widespread abuses, including torture, slavery, and deprivation of liberty, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
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The South Korean government is prioritizing the safe return of its citizens, with plans for a dedicated repatriation flight already in motion. The tragic loss of the student, coupled with the plight of hundreds of others, has sparked outrage and heightened public awareness of the dangers posed by these fraudulent schemes. Seoul’s swift action signals a robust commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting its nationals abroad. The outcome of the diplomatic mission and ongoing investigations will likely shape future efforts to combat this global scourge.
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