Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak
Approximately 200,000 Involved in Cambodia's Scam Industry; Diverse Nationalities Including Korea, China, and Japan
Smooth Cooperation with Cambodian Government
"Avoid Unnecessarily Neg
National Security Advisor Wi Sunglak has prioritized the swift repatriation of more than 60 Korean nationals suspected of criminal involvement in Cambodian scam organizations, who have been apprehended by local authorities. He stated that the government aims to ensure their return to Korea by the end of this weekend. Wi also mentioned that President Lee Jaemyung may leverage bilateral summit-level efforts to advance and resolve this issue.
On October 15, during a press briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan, Wi made these remarks. He explained that many Koreans are currently being detained by scam organizations in Cambodia, and some have been arrested by local authorities on suspicion of involvement with these criminal groups. The government plans to repatriate these individuals as soon as their custody is secured, acknowledging that various factors could affect the process.
According to Wi, the Cambodian scam industry employs around 200,000 people of various nationalities, including those from Korea, China, and Japan, and online scam crimes are being perpetrated against citizens of multiple countries. He stated, "We estimate there are just over 1,000 Koreans involved. Recently, thousands have been apprehended by Cambodian authorities, with more than 1,000 being Chinese nationals. The number of Koreans detained was initially 68, but it has since decreased to 63."
He emphasized that the speed of procedural coordination with Cambodian authorities remains a variable, but the government is working to repatriate the Korean nationals by the weekend. Wi stated, "We are preparing flights for the repatriation. The government's goal is to complete the process within this week, ideally by the weekend."
Wi also said that President Lee Jaemyung may use summit-level channels to advance and resolve the matter. When asked whether President Lee might discuss the issue directly with the Cambodian leader, Wi responded, "I will not specify the exact method, but it cannot be ruled out that President Lee may personally address this issue if the opportunity arises."
Regarding a question about whether cooperation has become difficult due to the Korean government’s refusal to comply with Cambodia’s request to repatriate anti-government figures, Wi replied, "That is not the case. The Cambodian government also intends to hand over and deport the Korean nationals they have apprehended." He added, "Cambodia is not avoiding cooperation with us for other reasons. I hope unnecessary negative perceptions about Cambodia or its people will cease."
Wi further stated that the Korea-Cambodia Joint Task Force on Scam Response will accelerate efforts to secure the custody of more nationals. "A team will be formed with 20 Cambodian and 4 Korean members to focus on these operations. We expect to apprehend more suspects and expedite the process of securing the release of detained nationals through bilateral cooperation," he explained.
Meanwhile, the government is dispatching a joint response team to Cambodia. The team, led by Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina, is scheduled to depart for Phnom Penh this afternoon. Officials from the National Police Agency, Ministry of Justice, and National Intelligence Service will also be joining. They are expected to hold high-level meetings with local authorities to prioritize discussions on the repatriation of Koreans detained as a result of local crackdowns.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
