Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has urged relevant ministries to deploy "all available resources" to assist South Korean nationals who have been kidnapped in Cambodia due to job scams, following the torture and death of a college student-a case that has deeply shocked the nation. During a Cabinet meeting, Lee emphasized the urgency of the situation, as reports of kidnappings among Korean nationals have surged this year.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the alarming situation prompted Foreign Minister Cho Hyun to summon Cambodia's ambassador for discussions. Lee highlighted the necessity for relevant ministries to expedite the creation of a regular communication channel with Cambodian authorities. This initiative aims to ensure the swift location and repatriation of kidnapped Korean nationals.
In response to increasing safety concerns, Lee urged the government to leverage all resources to address the issue effectively. He further underscored the importance of promptly enhancing travel restrictions to high-risk crime areas. Recently, the foreign ministry elevated its Level 2 travel advisory for Phnom Penh to a special travel advisory status, already applicable to southern and border regions with Vietnam.
Lee also stressed the need for adequate staffing and budget support for embassies abroad to ensure timely assistance to Koreans in distress. Discussions with Phnom Penh are underway to increase police presence at the South Korean Embassy and to establish a "Korean Desk" within the Cambodian national police for cases involving Koreans.
Crimes against South Koreans in Cambodia have significantly increased, with official data showing a rise from 81 cases in 2022 to 134 in 2023, and 348 last year. In the first half of this year alone, there were 303 reported cases.