South Korea’s president, Lee Jae Myung, and Cambodia’s prime minister, Hun Manet, met in Kuala Lumpur on Monday and agreed to set up a joint law‑enforcement task force. The new team will investigate online scams and other crimes that target Korean nationals living or traveling in Cambodia.
The deal came after a tragic incident that shocked South Korea. A Korean college student was found dead in Cambodia after a scam operation abducted him. The news triggered protests in Seoul and pushed the Korean government to push for stronger protection for its citizens abroad.
Lee told reporters that the Cambodia‑based task force will kick off in November. He said the size of a Korean police contingent and the details of how the centre will run will be confirmed soon. The plan mirrors a “Korean Desk” already active with Philippine police that helps track crimes against Korean travelers.
“South Korea is very sensitive to scam‑related crimes right now,” Lee said. “We’re grateful for Cambodia’s commitment to protecting Koreans. We must work together to tackle these crimes.”
Prime Minister Manet expressed condolences over the student’s death and praised Cambodia’s quick action to shut down scam sites and arrest the people responsible. He added that the country will keep collaborating on cross‑border issues such as drug and human‑trafficking.
Manet framed the problem as a regional challenge, urging multilateral action across Southeast Asia. “This isn’t just a single‑country issue,” he said. “It’s a regional problem that requires cooperation.”
The student’s remains were repatriated to South Korea last week, more than two months after he was found. The case prompted a Korean government delegation to visit Cambodia earlier this month. The visit also led Seoul to impose travel restrictions on areas where Koreans have been detained.
Lee added that the government will review travel advisories in Cambodia—including in Phnom Penh—once it reviews the security situation and the new joint investigative force is in place.
The leaders also talked about deepening ties. Lee promised more support for Cambodia’s development and higher‑level visits between the two countries. Manet highlighted South Korea as a major investor and tourism source for Cambodia and said he hoped to expand cooperation in security and defense.
The move comes as Cambodia ramps up efforts to curb scams and other transnational crimes that hurt foreign visitors, especially Germans, Australians, and now Koreans. The joint task force aims to protect travelers, prevent scams, and keep cross‑border crime under control.
Source: ianslive
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