[2025 Parliamentary Inspection] Foreign Affairs Committee to Conduct On-Site Inspection in Cambodia on the 22nd... Reviewing Crime Response Systems

Ambassadors from Neighboring Countries
Including Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos, Summoned

The National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee has decided to conduct a parliamentary inspection at the Cambodian diplomatic mission on the 22nd. The purpose is to review the response and prevention systems for crimes targeting Koreans, such as the recent surge in cases of abduction, confinement, and deaths.

According to the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 13th, Chairman Kim Seokki and other committee members from the Asia subcommittee will carry out an on-site parliamentary inspection in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the 22nd.

The Asia subcommittee includes Chairman Kim Seokki, Yoon Hu-deok and Han Jeongae from the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Kiwoong and In Yo-han from the People Power Party, and Kim Junhyeong from the Innovation Party for the Homeland.

Ambassadors stationed in neighboring countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos, will also be summoned to participate in the on-site inspection in Cambodia.

Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee session at the National Assembly on the 8th and responded to lawmakers' questions regarding the U.S. immigration enforcement authorities' crackdown on illegal stay and employment targeting Korean companies in Georgia, USA. 2025.9.8 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Meanwhile, during the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee’s parliamentary inspection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies on this day, both the ruling and opposition parties criticized the surge in abductions of Koreans in Cambodia and the inadequate response by overseas missions.

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, stated, "The number of abductions involving Koreans in Cambodia was estimated at around 10 to 20 cases per year between 2022 and 2023, but this year, as of August, it has reached 330 cases-a thirtyfold, or 3,000% increase." He further criticized, "Yet the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seems to be watching the situation from afar as if it does not concern them."

In response, Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun said, "I sincerely apologize to the public," and added, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is making every effort to resolve these incidents as quickly as possible." He also stated, "We will establish and implement special measures and take the necessary actions in cooperation with the Cambodian government."

However, Yoon Hu-deok of the Democratic Party pressed Minister Cho, asking, "What exactly are the President’s special measures?" He continued, "With 300 to 500 Korean citizens reportedly abducted or confined and out of contact in a foreign country, shouldn’t we even consider sending Air Force One?"

The absence of a dedicated dispatched police officer known as the "Korean Desk," responsible for crimes targeting Koreans, was also pointed out. Lee Yongseon of the Democratic Party remarked, "Currently, the ambassador’s post is vacant, and the previous ambassador was subject to much controversy from the time of appointment." He added, "Since then, there has been widespread criticism that the safety and security of Korean residents and citizens have been largely neglected. Compared to the Philippines, Cambodia has a higher number of reports of abduction and confinement, yet there is no 'Korean Desk' at all."