The government joint response team on employment scams and unlawful detention in Cambodia, led by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina, who also serves as head of the joint response team, and joined by Park Sung-joo, Vice Commissioner General for Investigation of the Korean National Police Agency, held separate meetings on the morning of October 16 (local time) in Phnom Penh with Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and Chhay Sinarith, Head of the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Scams (CCOS).

During the meetings, Vice Minister Kim conveyed the Korean government’s strong concern over the continued occurrence of employment scams and unlawful detention targeting Korean nationals, and requested that the Cambodian side take more proactive measures and strengthen cooperation to protect Korean nationals and eradicate online scam crimes in Cambodia.

In this context, Vice Minister Kim underscored the importance of establishing a ROK–Cambodia joint task force on scam crimes, with the participation of relevant Korean authorities, including the Korean National Police Agency. She also requested Cambodia’s active cooperation to facilitate the prompt repatriation of Korean nationals currently detained in Cambodia in connection with criminal cases. In addition, she urged continued cooperation to ensure the timely completion of mutual legal assistance procedures requested by the Korean Ministry of Justice, including the provision of autopsy and investigative records, as well as the cremation and repatriation of the remains of a Korean national found deceased in the Bokor area of Kampot Province in early August.

In response, Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his deep condolences over the death of the Korean national and stated that the Cambodian government would step up efforts to apprehend suspects still at large and enhance protection for Korean nationals in Cambodia. He also noted that, under his chairmanship, the CCOS is strengthening enforcement efforts, and expressed hope to further enhance such efforts through bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding Prime Minister Hun Manet’s request for the prompt downgrading of the Republic of Korea’s travel advisory for Cambodia and his concerns over potential negative impacts on investment and tourism, Vice Minister Kim explained that the measure was a necessary decision taken in light of the current situation, and that the Korean government would consider a downgrade once the situation improves.

In response to concerns raised by Prime Minister Hun Manet over negative media coverage of Cambodia in the Republic of Korea, Vice Minister Kim noted that improving such perceptions requires closer bilateral cooperation to address and improve the underlying situation. She added that development cooperation projects aimed at strengthening Cambodia’s law enforcement and public security capacity could also be explored.

Earlier, Vice Minister Kim held an in-depth meeting with Chhay Sinarith, Head of the Secretariat of the CCOS, focusing on the aforementioned requests made by the Korean side and future cooperation measures. Based on a shared understanding of the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation to protect Korean nationals in Cambodia, the two sides agreed to continue close consultations on concrete measures, including the establishment of the ROK–Cambodia joint task force on scam crimes.

Meanwhile, on the afternoon of October 16, Vice Minister Kim and members of the government joint response team, together with Cambodian authorities, conducted an on-site inspection of the Taizi compound, one of the scam compounds located in Takeo Province. During the visit, they were briefed on operational practices and enforcement activities at major scam compounds. The visit was assessed as a meaningful opportunity to reaffirm the strong commitment of both governments to close cooperation in protecting Korean nationals in Cambodia and eradicating scam crimes.