Police: "Cambodia Requests Participation in Initial Investigation Including Forensic Work"

Park Sungju, Commissioner of the National Office of Investigation at the Korean National Police Agency, stated on the 27th, "Cambodian authorities have expressed their hope that Korean police would come and participate in the initial investigation, including preliminary forensic work."

During a regular press briefing on this day, Commissioner Park said, "Depending on the outcome of discussions with Cambodian authorities, there is a possibility that additional personnel could be dispatched."

Commissioner Park added, "The transnational joint operation is expected to take place around November 11. International organizations such as Interpol and ASEANAPOL, as well as over 10 countries, will participate. We will work to establish concrete action plans regarding victim protection, suspect apprehension, and the freezing and recovery of criminal proceeds."

Commissioner Park also reported, "From January 1 to October 23 of this year, a total of 513 cases of abduction, confinement, and missing persons were reported to the Korean National Police Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Of these, 295 cases involved individuals who returned to Korea, while 218 cases involved those who have not returned. Among the unreturned cases, the safety of 162 individuals has not yet been confirmed. We are continuing to verify both their safety and any possible criminal connections."

Regarding the connection between Cambodian crime organizations and illegal private finance and loan sharking operations in Korea, Commissioner Park stated, "We plan to thoroughly examine all the issues that have been raised."

On the matter of crime organizations relocating to neighboring countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, Commissioner Park said, "We are closely monitoring whether they have moved to neighboring countries. In the case of Laos, we visited jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 23rd and 24th, met with high-level officials, and discussed cooperation measures."