Gyeonggi Province has ordered the return of all overseas volunteer members dispatched to Cambodia, following a sharp increase in employment scam crimes targeting Koreans in the country.
This repatriation is a preemptive measure to ensure the safety of the volunteers, following the government's consideration of raising the travel advisory level for areas in Cambodia where incidents have occurred, as well as the dispatch of a joint government response team.
The group subject to return consists of 34 members of the Gyeonggi Youth Climate Envoy dispatched to Cambodia.
Previously, on October 11, Gyeonggi Province sent 34 members of the Gyeonggi Youth Climate Envoy to Siem Reap and Kampong Speu in Cambodia, which are designated as Level 1 travel advisory areas.
Level 1 (Blue Alert) travel advisory areas are classified as "caution advised" zones and include many advanced countries considered safe, such as Switzerland, Singapore, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands.
Since their arrival on October 11, Gyeonggi Province has requested cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the safety of the volunteers and has continuously monitored their well-being.
An official from Gyeonggi Province stated, "The volunteer activity areas are safe, and all members are participating in the program in good health. However, prioritizing the safety of the volunteers, we have decided on an early return," adding, "We will consider providing future redeployment opportunities to the returned members."
The Gyeonggi Youth Climate Envoy is a program that offers overseas volunteer opportunities to young people in Gyeonggi Province aged 19 to 39, carrying out climate action activities in developing countries such as tree planting, environmental education, climate action campaigns, and cultural exchanges.
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