South Korea Urges Action as Cambodian Job Scams Surge

South Korea’s Foreign Minister, Cho Hyun, summoned the Cambodian Ambassador, Khuon Phon Rattanak, on October 10 to address a troubling increase in kidnappings of South Korean nationals linked to job scams in Cambodia. Reports indicate that the number of South Koreans abducted in Cambodia, which had previously ranged from 10 to 20 cases annually, skyrocketed to 220 reported cases in 2022 and 330 as of August 2025.

The issue gained further urgency following the death of a South Korean college student in Cambodia, who was reportedly kidnapped and tortured by a local crime syndicate. This tragic incident has alarmed the South Korean public and raised significant concerns about the safety of its citizens abroad. Lawmaker Na Kyung-won highlighted that many victims fell prey to fraudulent job offers that promised lucrative salaries but led to dire consequences instead.

In a statement, Cho conveyed his grave apprehension regarding the ongoing cases of job fraud and confinement involving South Korean nationals. “I summoned Cambodian Ambassador Khuon Phon Rattanak today to express grave concern over the continued cases of job fraud and confinement involving Korean nationals in Cambodia,” he said. He emphasized the need for swift and concrete actions to eradicate online scams, noting that the South Korean government has issued a special travel advisory for Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital.

Preventing Future Tragedies

Cho also called for enhanced cooperation between South Korean and Cambodian police authorities to prevent further tragedies. The recent death of the college student, discovered in August, was believed to have been caused by a heart attack resulting from torture and extreme suffering, according to local reports.

The situation is exacerbated by the findings of Amnesty International, which reported widespread abuses occurring in Cambodia’s scam centers. Their June report indicated that at least 53 scam compounds operate in the country, where organized crime groups engage in human trafficking, forced labor, torture, and other abuses. Amnesty’s report accused the Cambodian government of being “acquiescent” and “complicit” in these exploitative practices affecting thousands of workers.

As South Korea grapples with the implications of these alarming reports, the government faces mounting pressure to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad and to hold those responsible for these scams accountable. The rising tide of kidnappings and associated violence represents not only a significant human rights issue but also a growing concern for international relations between South Korea and Cambodia.

In summary, the recent spike in kidnappings of South Korean nationals in Cambodia has prompted serious diplomatic discussions, with both nations needing to address the root causes of these scams to protect vulnerable individuals.