DP: "Cambodian Victims Are Also Perpetrators... We Will Respond Calmly"

The Overseas Korean Safety Task Force of the Democratic Party of Korea announced on October 18 that, regarding crimes targeting Koreans in Cambodia, "We met with Cambodian lawmakers over two days to persuade and strongly request their cooperation for the repatriation work of the detained Koreans."

A bus carrying Koreans detained for involvement in online scams in Cambodia is heading to a chartered plane arranged for repatriation at Techo International Airport near Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the 17th (local time). Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Hwang Myungsun, Supreme Council member, said upon returning to Korea through Incheon Airport after activities in Cambodia, "We strongly requested the establishment of a Korean Desk to enable swift investigations in cooperation with the Korean police, and received active and positive feedback from both the upper and lower houses of the Cambodian parliament, as well as the government." He added, "Just like the balloon effect, if we control it in one place, incidents move to neighboring countries. We will thoroughly assess this situation and closely pursue measures to fundamentally block cybercrimes and prevent our citizens from falling victim to scams."

Hwang further stated, "When entering these criminal compounds, people are detained and assaulted regardless of their will. From our country's perspective, these individuals are both victims of violence and confinement, and at the same time, they become perpetrators by joining criminal organizations and committing cybercrimes against our citizens. The Democratic Party will take a calm and objective approach going forward."

Hwang also mentioned, "I heard the voices of the Korean diaspora in Cambodia firsthand in the field," and continued, "We requested cooperation to further normalize bilateral relations through this opportunity, and both the government and the party will work to address the concerns of overseas Koreans."

Democratic Party lawmaker Hong Giwon said, "There are about 10,000 Koreans living in Cambodia, and many have expressed concerns that negative and inaccurate information about this incident has been excessively reported in Korea, seriously impacting their livelihoods and leading to stigmatization." Democratic Party lawmaker Lim Hosun added, "There is now a strong consensus among political circles to further strengthen friendly cooperation with Cambodia."

Previously, the task force was urgently dispatched to Cambodia on October 15, where they met with Cambodian authorities and political figures to discuss countermeasures and review the current state of crime.