Suspect in 'Pattaya Korean Murder Case' Repatriated to South Korea After 58 Days

Fled to Cambodia Immediately After the Crime
Deported to India in the Form of Forced Expulsion

Suspect A, who kidnapped and murdered a Korean tourist in Pattaya, Thailand, was forcibly repatriated to South Korea 58 days after being apprehended in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the 10th.

Suspect A, who kidnapped and murdered a Korean tourist in their 30s in Pattaya, Thailand, was forcibly repatriated to Korea on the 10th.
[Photo by National Police Agency]

Cambodian authorities decided on the 4th to hand over suspect A to South Korea in the form of forced deportation, and the Korean National Police Agency dispatched a repatriation team of four members to the local area to bring him back to Incheon International Airport.

Suspect A was one of three suspects in the Drumtong murder case in Pattaya, Thailand, on May 3rd, and fled to Cambodia immediately after the crime. Subsequently, on May 14th, based on local intelligence and tips, he was apprehended in Phnom Penh through cooperation between the Korean police attach? in Cambodia and local Cambodian police.

The Korean National Police Agency has been continuously negotiating with Thai and Cambodian authorities to ensure the swift repatriation of suspect A. Since the suspect was apprehended in Cambodia but the murder occurred in Thailand, it was important to gain the understanding of the Royal Thai Police. To this end, investigative information was exchanged with Thai police authorities, and in mid-last month, an investigative team from the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency was sent to Thailand to hold a joint investigation meeting.

International security exchange cooperation was effective in negotiations with Cambodian authorities for repatriation. On the 19th of last month, during a visit to South Korea by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia for security exchange cooperation, the Korean National Police Agency requested prompt cooperation for the repatriation of suspect A.

Earlier, co-defendant B denied all charges at the first trial held on the 25th of last month at the Changwon District Court Criminal Division 4 (Presiding Judge Kim In-taek). The defense attorney stated, "B was not involved in any conspiracy or the act of murder." The next trial is scheduled for the 23rd of this month at 11:10 a.m.

A police official said, “It is expected that proving the charges against B, who is currently undergoing trial, will gain more momentum,” and added, “We will also work to apprehend suspect C, who is still on the run, early through international cooperation with police authorities in the countries where he is expected to flee.”