[Namsan Stroll] Killing Field of the 20th Century, Crime Field of the 21st Century

Young Koreans are trapped in criminal dens in Cambodia. After a college student who had gone to Cambodia in search of a job was confined in a criminal organization's hideout, subjected to forced labor, torture, and assault, and ultimately killed, there has been a surge of desperate pleas for rescue from others in similar situations. Most of the victims are young people in their twenties who left Korea lured by promises of making large sums of money. Some risk their lives to request help while evading the organization's surveillance, and as of August, there have been 330 such cases, with the number rising sharply in recent times.

Protecting its citizens is the most fundamental role of any government. Even considering the limitations that come with events occurring overseas, and the difficulty of direct intervention by Korean law enforcement, it is only natural that there is criticism about why so many citizens trapped in such hellish circumstances have not been rescued. Public outrage is further fueled by the fact that this tragedy was entirely foreseeable.

The investigative program "Unanswered Questions" has aired multiple episodes featuring on-the-ground reporting in Cambodia and vivid testimonies from actual victims. Despite the significant public response to this popular show, government prevention measures have been virtually nonexistent. Only after the issue became widely publicized did the government announce plans to establish a dedicated department with the Cambodian authorities and to pursue joint operations with international police organizations. However, the ambassador to Cambodia, who should be cooperating with local authorities, has remained vacant for three months.

The bases occupied by local criminal organizations were originally hotels or casinos that have since been abandoned. Most of the criminal leaders are reportedly from China, and the victims held in these places come not only from Korea but from across Asia. What kind of country is Cambodia that such things are possible? While it may be daunting to study the entire history of Cambodia, let us at least look at the most critical turning points in its modern history.

In the 1960s, Cambodia was actually more prosperous than Korea. However, its situation changed dramatically after it became entangled in the war between the United States and Vietnam. In the 1970s, the communist regime Khmer Rouge pursued the delusional goal of destroying all cities and building an agrarian society, forcing its own people out of their homes and workplaces. Millions died from massacres, violence, and disease during this period. The sites where bodies were buried across the country are known as the "Killing Fields," which have now been turned into memorial parks.

For those interested in learning more about Cambodia's modern history, I recommend the film "The Killing Fields" of the same name. For those who find older films difficult to watch, I suggest "First They Killed My Father," directed by Angelina Jolie. In relation to the current situation, the two-part Cambodia special of "Unanswered Questions" will also be helpful.

I would summarize the current situation by saying that a "Crime Field" has emerged in the country of the "Killing Fields."

The Cambodian government appears to lack both the ability and the will to resolve these issues. Even when foreign media report the arrest of criminal gang members, these actions fall far short of a large-scale crackdown and seem merely for show. In fact, when our president expressed concern about travel to Cambodia, the Cambodian authorities even went so far as to insultingly suggest he should focus on educating his people, questioning whether he could distinguish between tourism and crime. If the local authorities take such an attitude, perhaps our government has no choice but to intervene more actively than usual.

Our young people are trapped in a hellish crime field. I earnestly hope to hear more news of their rescue soon.

Lee Jaeik, SBS Radio Producer & Novelist