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South Korea's Urgent Mission: Repatriating 60 Nationals Amid Cambodia Crisis

South Korea is racing against time to bring home 60 of its citizens detained in Cambodia. The urgent repatriation effort comes amid growing public outrage over violent job scams targeting Koreans. A high-level government team is heading to Phnom Penh to negotiate with Cambodian authorities. The crisis escalated following the brutal torture and death of a Korean college student.

Key Points: South Korea Seeks Repatriation of 60 Nationals Detained in Cambodia

  • Joint government team departs for Cambodia to address escalating job scam crisis
  • About 80 Koreans linked to job scams remain missing or unaccounted for
  • Repatriated suspects will face investigation and legal action in South Korea
  • Crisis sparked by brutal death of Korean student who suffered torture
2 min read

South Korean seeks to repatriate its 60 nationals detained in Cambodia by weekend

South Korea deploys emergency team to Cambodia to repatriate 60 detained nationals involved in job scams, following public outrage over torture death.

"Our top priority is to bring home some 60 Koreans detained by Cambodian authorities. It is important to swiftly remove them from the crime scene. - Wi Sung-lac, National Security Advisor"

Seoul, Oct 15

South Korea's National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac said on Wednesday that efforts are underway to bring back about 60 Korean suspects detained by Cambodian authorities over job scams by this weekend, as a joint response team was set to depart for Phnom Penh to address crimes targeting Koreans following public outrage over the torture and death of a Korean student.

Wi told reporters that 63 Korean suspects are being kept in custody after they were apprehended by Cambodian law enforcement authorities in the job scam crackdown. Separately, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday that about 80 Koreans linked to job scams in Cambodia are missing or their safety cannot be confirmed.

"Our top priority is to bring home some 60 Koreans detained by Cambodian authorities. It is important to swiftly remove them from the crime scene," Wi said.

"We are making efforts to repatriate them by this weekend."

"Once they return to Korea, they will be subject to investigation and legal action depending on their level of involvement," he added, noting that they are among several thousand people rounded up in Cambodia's recent crackdown on criminal activities, Yonhap news agency reported.

A joint government response team is also set to depart for Cambodia on Wednesday amid an escalating job scam crisis involving the trafficking, torture and captivity of South Koreans, following public shock and fear sparked by the brutal death of a South Korean college student.

The response team, consisting of officials from the foreign ministry, police and the spy agency, is scheduled to head for Phnom Penh later in the day, as it seeks to engage with high-level Cambodian government officials to address the crimes and urge their cooperation for the repatriation of South Korean nationals.

The issue has become a top priority for Seoul as it faces mounting public criticism for overlooking the situation and allowing its people to fall victim to the violent crimes spiralling out of control.

The response team, led by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na, is expected to call for the Cambodian authorities' cooperation in the investigation into the death of the student, who was allegedly killed after suffering from torture.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
While I appreciate South Korea's quick response, I wonder if they're being too lenient with these suspects. They should face justice in Cambodia first for crimes committed there. The torture and death of that student is heartbreaking.
A
Ananya R
This reminds me of similar scams that target Indians in Southeast Asia. Governments need to create better awareness about overseas job opportunities and warning signs of fraud. Stay safe everyone! 🇮🇳
V
Vikram M
Good to see international cooperation in such cases. Cambodia and South Korea working together sets a positive example. Hope they find the missing 80 people soon. The families must be going through hell.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked abroad, this hits close to home. People take risks for better opportunities, but governments need to ensure proper safeguards are in place. The death of that student is absolutely tragic.
K
Karthik V
While I support repatriation, I hope South Korea ensures proper investigation and punishment for those involved in criminal activities. Justice for the victims should be the priority, not just bringing citizens home.

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