On November 10, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia and subsequently held a luncheon meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn. These events took place during the first visit to Cambodia by a Korean Foreign Minister in three years, which came as a follow up on the ROK–Cambodia summit held in Malaysia on October 27.

During his courtesy call on Prime Minister Hun Manet, Minister Cho appreciated the prompt establishment of the Korea–Cambodia Joint Task Force for Koreans (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Task Force”) under the Prime Minister’s leadership, following the agreement reached to that effect by the two countries’ leaders at their recent summit. He underscored that the Joint Task Force will serve as an important mechanism for further strengthening bilateral cooperation in protecting Korean nationals and responding to online scams and other transnational crimes.

Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that the recent ROK–Cambodia summit had been highly successful, and emphasized that Cambodia is fully committed at the national level to eradicating scams and other transnational crimes. He expressed appreciation for Korea’s assistance in that regard and noted that regional and multilateral cooperation is also essential in addressing such crimes. He went on to express hope that the two sides would continue close cooperation.

The two sides agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership through effective responses to transnational crimes and to explore ways to expand cooperation across a wide range of areas including high-level exchanges, trade, investment and labor, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the resumption of diplomatic relations in 2027.

Minister Prak Sokhonn likewise reaffirmed that, as agreed at the ROK–Cambodia summit, the Cambodian government will continue to make active efforts to address issues related to the involvement of Korean nationals in scams in Cambodia. He expressed hope that the two countries, whose relations have developed remarkably over the past 30 years since the resumption of diplomatic relations, would overcome current challenges through close cooperation and further advance their strategic partnership.

Later in the day, Minister Cho, together with Acting Commissioner General of the Korean National Police Agency Yoo Jae-sung, met with Cambodian Minister of Interior Sar Sokha. Minister Cho expressed hope that the Joint Task Force, as a practical cooperation mechanism between the police authorities of the two countries, would effectively contribute not only to preventing and responding to scam crimes against Koreans but also to eradicating transnational crimes in Cambodia. He also asked that Cambodia continue cooperation by sending back to Korea as soon as possible any Korean nationals it finds in the course of raids.

Following this meeting, Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae-sung and Commissioner General of the Cambodian National Police Sar Thet signed a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of the Joint Task Force in the presence of Minister Cho and Minister Sar Sokha, followed by the launch ceremony for the Joint Task Force at the Cambodian National Police agency. The Joint Task Force will be composed of Korean and Cambodian police officers who will jointly handle the entire process related to cases involving Korean nationals -- from the receipt of reports to rescue operations, investigations and the repatriation of suspects.

Following the launch ceremony, Minister Cho, Acting Commissioner General Yoo and Cambodian officials will visit a scam crime compound near Phnom Penh to conduct an on-site inspection and will discuss ways to utilize the Joint Task Force in conducting future raids on other scam crime compounds in Cambodia and finding Korean nationals.

Minister Cho will then have dinner with representatives of the Korean community in Cambodia, during which he will listen to their concerns and exchange views with them on possible response measures.