Man in His 30s Admits to Luring Young Men to Cambodia... Accomplice Gives Conflicting Testimony

Admits Charges at First Trial
Accomplice Claims "I Am Also a Victim... Unaware of the Crime"

A man in his 30s who lured two young men and handed them over to a Cambodian criminal organization admitted to the charges at his first trial. In contrast, an accomplice who was indicted alongside him denied the charges.

At the first hearing for the case involving A (34) and B (28) on charges of abduction and transfer overseas, held on the 16th before the 12th Criminal Division of the Jeonju District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Dohyung), A's attorney stated, "We admit to all charges."

Jeonju District Court

On the other hand, B's attorney, who is accused of assisting A, took a different stance, saying, "It is true that B met the victims, but we deny the facts of the indictment."

A was indicted for handing over two domestic victims in their 20s to a Cambodian voice phishing organization in December last year and January this year. B was charged with looking after the victims and providing various conveniences until they left the country.

B, speaking directly, claimed, "That was the first time I met the victims, and I never gave them any money or told them, 'You can make a lot of money overseas.'" He further emphasized, "In fact, I am also a victim and had no knowledge of the crime."

The prosecutor requested that the victim, who was deceived by the defendants and ended up being confined by the Cambodian criminal organization, be called to the witness stand. The court accepted the prosecution's witness request, noting the need to verify B's statements, as he denied most of the charges.

The next trial is scheduled for January 22 next year.