University Student Who Died in Cambodia Was Recruited by Senior from Same University

Police Launch Full-Scale Investigation into Domestic Network
Accelerating Probe into Higher-Level Recruiters of Fraudulent Bank Accounts
"Limits to Domestic Investigation Due to Lack of Local Jurisdiction"

In connection with the case of a Korean university student who died after being tortured in Cambodia, the police have launched a full-scale investigation into domestic networks linked to local criminal organizations. It has been determined that the domestic network operated in a “cell-based” structure to evade law enforcement. The police are expanding their investigation into domestic recruiters of fraudulent bank accounts to higher-level figures.

Presumed image of a university student from Gyeongbuk who died in Cambodia. Screenshot of the Telegram channel 'War on Crime 2'

On October 13, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency announced that it is focusing its investigative efforts on the superiors of Hong, a recruiter in his twenties who was indicted and detained on charges of violating the Electronic Financial Transactions Act. The police have identified that the organization Hong belonged to operated in a cell-based structure. Authorities are checking communication records and account transactions to determine whether there were additional crimes committed both domestically and internationally.

The deceased student, identified as Park (22), left for Cambodia on July 17, saying he was going to attend a local expo. Three weeks later, on August 8, he was found dead in a car near Bokor Mountain in Kampot. Cambodian police have presumed the cause of death to be “cardiac arrest due to torture.” A police official stated, “We are currently verifying the circumstances to determine any connection between the organization that recruited Park and the local criminal organization in Cambodia.”

It was confirmed that Park, who was enrolled at a university in Chungnam, traveled to Cambodia after being introduced by Hong, a senior he met at the same university. The first trial for Hong, who was indicted and detained last month, will be held on November 13 at the Andong branch of the Daegu District Court.

Previously, “Cheonma,” the administrator of the Telegram channel “War on Crime 2,” released a video filmed in Cambodia during Park’s lifetime. The video showed a person presumed to be Park being forced to inhale drugs and explaining to the group how he ended up in Cambodia. In a post introducing the video, Cheonma claimed, “After being introduced by Hong, Park went to Cambodia as a fraudulent bank account holder. Following a withdrawal incident involving 57 million won, he was assaulted and detained.”

The police are reportedly planning to travel to Cambodia as early as October 20 to conduct a joint autopsy. A police official emphasized, “Given the nature of the case as a transnational crime, there are limitations to domestic investigation. Active diplomatic cooperation is essential.”