Safety of Missing Man in His 20s in Cambodia Confirmed

Contacted Parents via Social Media; Police Also Spoke Directly
Eight Cases Reported in Gwangju and South Jeolla
Police: "We Will Respond Until the End"

The whereabouts of a man in his 20s, who had been reported missing after leaving Gwangju for Cambodia and losing contact, have been confirmed.

Gwangju Bukbu Police Station.

According to the Gwangju Bukbu Police Station on October 16, Mr. A called his parents via social media (SNS) the previous afternoon and told them, "I'm doing well, so don't worry." The police also spoke directly with Mr. A and confirmed that he was safe, but requested that he visit the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia for final verification. A police official stated, "We do not plan to cancel the missing person report until his safety is officially confirmed."

The Gwangju Metropolitan Police Agency recently held an emergency countermeasure meeting in response to a series of suspected missing person cases following departures to Cambodia.

To gather information from local families and acquaintances, the police produced and distributed flyers in Khmer, and decided to establish a response manual for the increasing number of overseas missing person reports, which will be distributed to frontline officers.

The police also plan to work with the Gwangju Office of Education to conduct preventive education after the college entrance exam, so that young people are not exposed to crimes disguised as employment opportunities. Psychological care will also be offered to the families of missing persons upon request.

As of October 16, there have been a total of eight reported cases in which contact was lost after departure to Cambodia, including five in Gwangju and three in South Jeolla Province.