Recently, serious crimes such as employment fraud, kidnapping, confinement, and murder targeting Koreans in Cambodia have continued unabated. Assemblywoman Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party lamented, "Korean citizens are being sold as commodities by criminal organizations."
On October 9, Assemblywoman Na wrote on her Facebook page, "Is the Lee Jaemyung Democratic Party administration neglecting this?" She added, "The movie 'The Outlaws' is becoming reality."
Assemblywoman Na explained, "The number of reported kidnappings of Koreans in Cambodia increased dramatically from 10 to 20 cases per year in 2022-2023 to 220 cases last year, and 330 cases as of August this year." She continued, "A university student who went to Cambodia was kidnapped and confined within two weeks, later found dead after a threatening call demanding a wire transfer from a man speaking with a Joseonjok accent. A man in his 40s who went missing while traveling in Cambodia was found in a coma locally."
In fact, the number of Koreans arrested in Cambodia rose from 3 in 2023 to 46 in 2024, a 15-fold increase. From January to July this year, the number reached 144, already more than triple last year's figure. During the same period, there were 252 cases of employment fraud and confinement, 14.8 times higher than the 17 cases in 2023. Most victims were reportedly deceived by promises of "high-income overseas jobs" and subsequently kidnapped by criminal organizations. Not only in Cambodia, but also in Myanmar and Thailand, Chinese criminal organizations are increasingly kidnapping foreigners, including Koreans, and forcing them into phishing crimes.
Introducing these facts, Assemblywoman Na pointed out, "Even more serious is the human rights abuse after arrest." She said, "Due to corruption among the local police, Koreans are repeatedly released only after paying money, or are resold to other organizations." For example, 15 Koreans arrested at the Sihanoukville crime complex on May 16 were promised repatriation to Korea, but within just two weeks, they were handed over to another criminal group. Detained victims have to survive on two meals of clear broth and half a bowl of rice per day, and are treated as 'cash cows' in places where a single Choco Pie is sold for $4. There have been reports of being charged $280 for pillow use, $800 for cell phone use, and being overcharged more than double for return flight tickets. There was even a video released showing a member of a Chinese criminal organization forcing a Korean to inhale drugs.
Assemblywoman Na criticized, "The consular assistance from the Korean embassy is virtually non-existent. Victims have appealed, saying, 'We waited for a consul, but never met one.'" She argued, "This is the bare face of our government's incompetence and dereliction of duty, leading to a decline in national prestige." She emphasized, "Even now, the government must mobilize a comprehensive response system, urgently activate and expand the role of existing investigative bodies, and immediately form an emergency task force comprised of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Police Agency, Ministry of Justice, Prosecution Service, and National Intelligence Service. The task force must promptly assess the extent of damage to our citizens and launch a full-scale diplomatic operation to ensure the safe return of all victims."
She also suggested, "We must actively utilize international treaties such as the extradition treaty and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, and cooperate with international organizations such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, Interpol, and Amnesty International to strictly hold corrupt local authorities accountable and apply international pressure for the protection and repatriation of victims. The Cambodian government must also face strong pressure from the international community."
In conclusion, Assemblywoman Na said, "Although there are many pending issues such as Korea-US customs and trade negotiations, EU customs response, and restoration of the national computer network, there is nothing more important than the lives and safety of our citizens." She added, "Turning a blind eye to this horrific reality is not just dereliction of duty, but an abandonment of the nation and a failure of governance. Did President Lee Jaemyung not say on October 2, on World Korean Day, that he would 'work harder to protect the rights and safety of our citizens and compatriots overseas'? This is a glaring example of extreme inconsistency between words and actions."
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