Director Wi Seongrak Holds Press Briefing
All 60+ Detainees Held by Cambodian Authorities to Be Repatriated
South Korean Police Officers to Board the Chartered Flight
Government Prepares for Possible Spread to Neighboring Countries, the "Balloon Effect"
President Lee Orders Immediate Removal of Illegal Job Advertisements to Prevent Further Damage
A chartered flight carrying South Korean nationals detained by authorities for involvement in Cambodian scam crime organizations will depart from Phnom Penh for Incheon at 2 a.m. on October 18 (local time: midnight on October 18). Around 60 South Koreans are being repatriated; upon arrival, they will be subject to certain legal procedures as criminal suspects, undergo necessary investigations, and face actions according to the results. Going forward, the government also plans to prepare for the so-called "balloon effect," where crime spreads to neighboring countries.
Wi Seongrak, Director of the National Security Office, held a press briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan on October 17 and stated, "I spoke with the government response team on the ground and received a briefing on the situation." He added, "Although it is difficult to speak definitively as we cannot rule out all variables, discussions with the Cambodian side are proceeding smoothly."
The number of South Koreans being repatriated is more than 60, all of whom are criminal suspects detained by Cambodian investigative authorities. This is an increase from the previously reported 59, and South Korean police officers will also be on board. Director Wi explained, "Most of those being repatriated are criminal suspects for whom the South Korean government has issued arrest warrants, so they will be escorted in accordance with legal procedures. Upon arrival, they will be transferred immediately for necessary investigations and legal action will be taken according to the results."
The government joint response team, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Jina, visited the scam compound near Phnom Penh on this day. The team will continue discussions with the Deputy Foreign Minister, who oversees international cooperation on online scam issues, and the Minister of the Interior, who is responsible for domestic security. For the protection of South Korean nationals in Cambodia, Ambassador Park Il has been officially appointed to oversee local response efforts.
Director Wi stated, "After the joint response team returns, we will continue to thoroughly respond to employment scams and confinement cases on the ground in Cambodia. At the Foreign Ministry headquarters, Minister Cho Hyun held a video conference yesterday afternoon with the heads of missions from the five Mekong River countries."
The government has also begun a comprehensive investigation of similar cases through 190 overseas diplomatic missions. Director Wi said, "We have sent official documents to all overseas missions to conduct a thorough investigation of similar cases and to identify potential risk factors in advance. We have also instructed that cooperation measures be discussed at the bilateral level with key related countries, as well as through the United Nations, the OECD, and other organizations, to further strengthen our response posture."
The government also plans to prepare for the "balloon effect," where scam crimes spread to neighboring countries. Through diplomatic missions, efforts will be made to prevent the spread of crime to other countries and regions, while focusing on domestic prevention and international cooperation. Director Wi explained, "We are preparing for the balloon effect, in which increased pressure from Cambodian authorities could prompt criminals to move elsewhere. The current response team is also keeping this possibility in mind and has requested cooperation from Cambodia and neighboring countries."
Earlier, President Lee Jaemyung ordered the immediate removal of illegal job advertisements targeting all of Southeast Asia. Lee Guyoun, Senior Secretary for Public Relations at the presidential office, explained in a briefing, "The order was given out of concern that, as crackdowns intensify in Cambodia, the destinations for recruitment ads may shift to other Southeast Asian countries." He added, "The Korea Communications Commission, the Korea Communications Standards Commission, the National Police Agency, and others will closely monitor websites exposing illegal ads and deliver the results to portal site operators and related parties."
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