"Cardiac Arrest, Severe Pain" Listed in Local Examination
Authorities Also Tracing Domestic Bank Account Brokers
In connection with the case in which a Korean university student was detained and tortured to death by a local criminal organization in Cambodia, Korean police are planning to conduct a joint autopsy with Cambodian authorities.
Cambodian investigative authorities are examining the crime scene in Bokosan area, Kampot Province, Cambodia, where the body of a foreign deceased was found. Cambodian military.
On October 12, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Police Agency announced, "Together with the headquarters' forensic team, we plan to conduct a joint autopsy in Cambodia later this month," adding, "We are currently coordinating the detailed schedule with Cambodian police in order to clearly determine the cause of death."
During the initial examination, Cambodian police listed the cause of death as "cardiac arrest (severe pain due to torture)." However, Korean police stated, "It is difficult to confirm the cause of death based solely on the preliminary examination results," and requested to participate directly in the autopsy.
The deceased university student, identified as Mr. Park (in his 20s) from Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province, departed for Cambodia on July 17, 2025, saying he would attend a local expo. He was found dead near Bokosan in Kampot Province three weeks later, on August 8, 2025.
According to the local investigation, Mr. Park was lured by a voice phishing organization under the pretense of a high-income overseas job, then detained and assaulted. Testimonies indicate that he was tortured with metal pipes and electric shock devices up until just before the rescue operation.
On this day, the office of Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Chandae stated, "This incident is an example of an international crime involving detention, assault, and forced voice phishing, which began as a fraudulent overseas job offer," adding, "Testimonies confirm that the victim was severely tortured until just before the rescue operation and died from excessive assault."
Telegram rescue request message sent by Mr. B to the office of Congressman Park Chandae. Provided by the office of Congressman Park Chandae
According to the lawmaker's office, victim A, who was rescued, testified, "Mr. B (the deceased student) was beaten so badly that he could neither walk nor breathe, and died while being transported to the hospital." Mr. Park's death certificate lists "severe pain due to torture" as the direct cause of death.
Assemblyman Park pointed out, "Local Cambodian police displayed irrational behavior, such as demanding 'photos or videos of confinement' when a missing person report was filed," and stressed, "There is an urgent need to improve the consular assistance system and establish a constant response network for the protection of overseas nationals."
The lawmaker's office explained that on August 9, 2025, they rescued 14 Koreans from a criminal organization compound in Kampot Province in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, intelligence agencies, and the consulate. They confirmed that Mr. Park had died at the same location the previous day, August 8, 2025.
Domestic police have arrested and referred for prosecution one domestic broker who lured Mr. Park to Cambodia by recruiting bank accounts under false names, and are currently tracking the higher-level organization behind the crime. A police official stated, "We are investigating both the precise cause of death and any possible links to domestic organizations," adding, "After following international procedures, we will proceed quickly with the autopsy and the repatriation of the body."
The bereaved family is reportedly waiting for the completion of the local judicial process in Cambodia and preparing for the repatriation of the body.
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