"Many Cases of Voluntary Involvement... Returning After Rescue"
Regarding the delay in repatriating the body of a Korean university student who died after being tortured in Cambodia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on October 11, "We will continue to coordinate with the Cambodian authorities to ensure that the autopsy and the transport of the body to Korea are carried out as soon as possible."
According to local police, Student A, who was found dead in the Bokor Mountain area of Kampot Province, Cambodia, in August, died of cardiac arrest caused by pain from torture inflicted by a criminal organization.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained, "From the moment the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia was notified of Student A's death by the Cambodian police, we have requested a prompt investigation and strict legal action against the suspects from the Cambodian side. We have also provided consular assistance by maintaining direct and frequent communication with the bereaved family in Korea, updating them on the progress of the local investigation and procedures related to the autopsy."
The ministry added, "When internal procedures on the Cambodian side delayed the local autopsy, despite the participation of a forensic pathologist from the Korean National Police Agency, we sent official letters and held multiple meetings with the Cambodian authorities to continuously request their active cooperation. In every communication with the Cambodian side, we have consistently expressed our strong regret over the death of our citizen and requested the swift progress of related procedures."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that it has asked the Cambodian authorities to actively consider simplifying the process for victims of confinement to report to the local police. Currently, victims must contact the police themselves to report a confinement situation, and the police require the following: the reporter's current location, contact information, a photo of the building (including its name and unit/floor number), a copy of the passport, a facial photo, and a video of the person requesting rescue. The ministry explained that the reason Cambodian investigative authorities require such complex direct reporting procedures is that, in the past, when responding to third-party reports, there were repeated cases where the individuals concerned denied being confined and expressed a desire to remain.
The ministry also pointed out that the number of Koreans working in online scam facilities in Cambodia is increasing, and there are even cases of voluntary participation. Some individuals knowingly work in online scam operations while keeping it secret from their families in Korea. The ministry warned, "After being rescued, many refuse consular assistance from the embassy, return to Korea, and then re-enter Cambodia to go back to online scam facilities. Such voluntary participants can be considered potential perpetrators of voice phishing against Korean nationals."
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