The Korean government action to protect nationals in Cambodia escalated this week. Authorities prepared a coordinated response to safeguard citizens detained or at risk. President Lee Jae Myung stressed immediate measures during a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The government will deploy a joint task force led by the second vice foreign minister. Officials from the National Police Agency and National Intelligence Service will also participate. The team will oversee repatriation efforts and prevent further incidents linked to job scams and unlawful confinement.
At the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, and National Police Agency briefed the president. They outlined plans to respond to scams, detentions, and the recent murder of a Korean student in Cambodia. President Lee said protecting victims and repatriating them quickly must be the top priority.
“The top priority must be to protect the victims and bring back those involved promptly,” Lee said. He urged ministries to use all available resources immediately. He also called for rapid verification of missing individuals to ensure their safety.
The presidential office reported 63 Korean citizens are currently detained by Cambodian authorities. President Lee noted that Korea ranks fifth or sixth among countries affected by overseas job scams. He emphasized that citizens’ safety is the government’s most important duty.
The government also plans to raise travel advisories for high-risk areas in Cambodia. Ministries will strengthen cross-ministerial coordination, monitor foreign job advertisements, and expand public awareness campaigns to discourage participation in scams.
The Ministry of Justice will enhance international cooperation with ASEAN countries to address criminal operations targeting foreign workers. The National Police Agency will create an international cooperation task force to tackle kidnappings and unlawful confinement cases.
Domestically, authorities will analyze crime patterns and launch a special reporting period in October. They aim to ensure no incidents go unreported.
Korean government action reflects a proactive approach to protect citizens, prevent further crimes, and reinforce public trust in government support overseas. Officials will continue coordinating with Cambodian authorities to secure repatriations and monitor high-risk areas.
