As news belatedly emerged of a Korean university student who died after being tortured in Cambodia, it has been confirmed that two Korean nationals who were detained in a Cambodian crime complex have been rescued.
According to Park Chandae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, and others on October 11, two Korean men, referred to as Mr. A and Mr. B, who had been confined in a hotel in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, were able to escape on October 2 with the help of Assemblyman Park.
Mr. A traveled to Cambodia after seeing an online job posting that promised high monthly earnings of 8 million to 15 million won for IT-related work, along with a private hotel room and meals. Although initially skeptical, he decided to leave after being assured via Telegram that his plane ticket would be arranged, thinking he could simply return if things did not work out.
However, upon arrival in Cambodia, he found that the company was actually located in a criminal complex known as a "wenche," where he was forced to participate in voice phishing scams impersonating government officials. Mr. A claimed that he was threatened with all-day torture if he refused to take part in the crimes. When he resisted, he was moved to another crime complex in Poipet, Cambodia, where he was reportedly beaten with metal pipes and electric shock devices for over 100 days.
There was even an attempt to escape. Mr. B, who shared a room with Mr. A, sent a rescue request via Telegram, prompting local police to visit the crime complex. However, the criminal group discovered the report, and the escape attempt ultimately failed. After their location was exposed, both men were relocated to Sihanoukville. Nevertheless, Mr. A sent another rescue request, and this time, local police responded and handcuffed the perpetrators, ending their 160-day ordeal in captivity.
After their rescue, both men are being questioned by Cambodian police and are preparing to return to Korea.
Rescue request message sent by Mr. B, a Korean man who was detained in a Cambodian crime complex. Provided by Park Chandae, member of the Democratic Party of Korea
Assemblyman Park said that in early September, he received a plea from Mr. B's mother asking him to "please save my son," after which he coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the consulate to rescue the two men. According to documents submitted to Assemblyman Park by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there have been 330 cases reported to diplomatic missions between January and August of this year in which Korean nationals were detained in Cambodia after falling victim to employment scams.
In response, on September 30, Assemblyman Park sponsored an amendment to the Consular Assistance Act, which calls for advance monitoring and assessment of incidents involving overseas Koreans and a more proactive response to missing persons reports. He explained that, compared to the number of incidents occurring in Cambodia, the manpower and budget at overseas missions are insufficient, and thus the law needs to be revised to strengthen the protection system for Korean nationals abroad.
Assemblyman Park stated, "Even now, there are our citizens waiting to be rescued and families in Korea anxiously awaiting their return. I hope that the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant agencies will secure a 'golden time' for safe rescues of our citizens through active cooperation."
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