Seoul: National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac on Monday emphasized the urgent need to repatriate South Koreans from Cambodia following an increase in job scams and illegal detentions targeting the nationals, as reported by the presidential office.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Wi made these remarks while leading the first meeting of a newly formed pangovernment task force tasked with developing strategies in response to growing public concern and safety issues. This meeting comes in the wake of the torture and death of a South Korean college student in Cambodia in August.
Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung stated in a press briefing, “Wi said that the immediate return of citizens in danger must be prioritized on humanitarian grounds, urging the authorities to respond without delay, while legal action against any criminal activities committed by detained individuals is to be expected.”
Kang further mentioned, “He also instructed officials to consider a phased repatriation, if necessary. To prevent further harm, the government is reviewing the option of dispatching investigative personnel to Cambodia to coordinate with local authorities for investigation and to assess the situation regarding the rescue of the people.”
The meeting saw participation from officials of the ministries of foreign affairs and justice, and the National Police Agency, as confirmed by the presidential office.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, during a parliamentary review of his ministry, stated that the government is considering “extraordinary measures” to tackle the ongoing issues in Cambodia. Cho mentioned, “What we are currently discussing with Cambodia is the possibility of dispatching personnel to bring all those awaiting return back by plane.”
A tragic incident on August 8 highlighted the severity of the situation when a South Korean university student was discovered deceased inside a black car near Bokor Mountain in Kampot Province, Cambodia. Two Chinese suspects present in the vehicle at the time were subsequently arrested.
Reports of missing South Koreans and illegal detentions in Cambodia have been increasingly common. In the first eight months of this year alone, South Korean diplomatic missions in Cambodia received 330 reports concerning such incidents, authorities reported.
In response to these alarming events, President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday called for comprehensive diplomatic efforts to protect nationals from such crimes.