Seoul: The South Korean foreign ministry has committed to the prompt repatriation of a student’s remains following his death in Cambodia, linked to a suspected employment scam. The student’s body was discovered in August near Bokor Mountain, a known hotspot for scams targeting South Koreans, a month after he arrived in the country. Cambodian authorities suspect cardiac arrest due to torture as the cause of death.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the body remains in Cambodia without an autopsy due to limited cooperation from local authorities, inciting public outcry in South Korea. The foreign ministry has been actively seeking an autopsy and repatriation, pressing Cambodian officials for a swift investigation following the notification of the student’s death.
The number of South Korean victims of employment scams and detentions in Cambodia has surged, owing to the rise in South Koreans being deceived into working at online scam centers. The ministry has requested Cambodian authorities to simplify the process for reporting detentions at these centers, as current procedures require victims to self-report and provide extensive personal information.
Additionally, some individuals have been voluntarily working at these scam centers, potentially targeting fellow South Koreans. In response to the student’s death, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun summoned the Cambodian ambassador in Seoul and issued a special travel advisory for Phnom Penh.
Recently, two South Koreans were rescued after being confined and tortured in a Cambodian hotel, coerced into criminal activities for approximately 160 days. They had responded to an online job offer in the IT field, which turned out to be a voice phishing operation involving Chinese nationals and ethnic Koreans from China. Local police, with assistance from South Korean officials and Rep. Park Chan-dae, secured their release. The rescued individuals have been questioned by Cambodian police and are preparing to return home.
One of the victims reported that three other South Koreans were detained in the adjacent room, with potentially more awaiting rescue. Data provided to Rep. Park’s office by the ministry indicates that from January to August, approximately 330 reports of fake job offers and detainment in Cambodia were filed with South Korean diplomatic missions.