The government joint response team, which repatriated 64 South Koreans detained in Cambodia for involvement in criminal activities, announced on October 18 that it would strengthen cooperation with Cambodian authorities to address crime.
Kim Jinah, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the government joint response team dispatched to Cambodia (right), and Park Sungjoo, Commissioner of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, are holding a press conference upon returning to Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Jinah, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the response team, held a briefing at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport immediately after returning by air on this day, stating, "Based on the cooperation of the Cambodian government, we have completed the swift repatriation of 64 of our nationals who were detained."
Kim stated, "The government has confirmed the Cambodian government's willingness to cooperate, and we have agreed to institutionalize the joint response task force (TF) to further enhance cooperation going forward," adding, "We expect to be able to respond to crime more quickly in the future."
Kim also emphasized, "We have confirmed the Cambodian government's willingness to cooperate," and said, "The government will establish an effective system to eradicate scam crimes targeting our nationals in Cambodia and will actively utilize it."
The police plan to investigate the criminal allegations of the repatriated South Koreans. In connection with suspicions that drug use occurred within Cambodian criminal complexes, the police will also conduct drug tests on the repatriated individuals. They plan to analyze evidence such as mobile phones secured from the Cambodian police.
Park Sungjoo, Commissioner of the National Investigation Headquarters, stated, "Cambodian authorities requested the Korean police to conduct initial investigations of the evidence," and added, "With the exchange of evidence such as mobile phones, we expect initial investigations to proceed smoothly." The police plan to conduct individual investigations upon repatriation if Cambodian authorities apprehend and notify them of additional South Koreans.
Some members of the response team who remain in Cambodia will conduct additional site visits and hold meetings with the local Korean community. The response team will begin consultations for the Cambodia joint response task force starting next week.
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