Seoul, Oct 14 – South Korea’s President Lee Jae‑Myung urged his government to use every tool at its disposal to help Koreans taken hostage in Cambodia, after a college student’s death in a violent job‑scam trap sent shockwaves across the country. The President made the charge during a cabinet meeting, calling for a “regular communication channel” with Cambodian police and for the quick return of all abducted citizens.
Lee said the ministry and its partners must work fast, honestly and decisively to stop further crimes against Korean nationals abroad. He warned that the safety of overseas Koreans depends on stronger travel restrictions in risky areas—especially Phnom Phèn, where the foreign ministry last week lifted the city’s advisory from Level 2 to a special travel advisory.
In practical terms, Seoul will increase staff at its Cambodian embassy, which only has one official and two assistants right now, and set up a “Korean Desk” in the local police to focus on Korean‑related cases. “We need enough people and budget in our embassies to help our citizens when they are in danger,” Lee told the ministers.
Police data show a sharp rise in crimes against South Koreans in Cambodia—from 81 cases in 2022 to 134 in 2023 and 348 in 2024, with 303 in the first half of this year. The government’s new focus on a tighter police partnership and clearer travel warnings comes amid the ongoing wave of kidnappings tied to job scams that has continued to rise each year.
Source: ianslive
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