South Korean president urges ‘all-out’ efforts to protect citizens after number of kidnappings in Cambodia soars in recent months
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung has called for “all-out” diplomatic efforts to protect citizens in Cambodia after a university student was lured there by a scam ring and allegedly tortured to death.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lee said “protecting the lives and safety of citizens is the government’s greatest responsibility” and called for all scam victims to be “swiftly repatriated”.
The number of kidnappings of South Koreans in Cambodia has soared in recent months, prompting national security adviser Wi Sung-lac to form an emergency task force for the swift repatriation of citizens affected by scams.
Victims of scams are typically lured with promises of high-paying jobs before being confined in compounds and forced to participate in online fraud operations, particularly voice phishing scams, according to multiple sources, including Yonhap News. Those who refuse face beatings with pipes and electric shock devices, according to rescued victims who spoke to lawmaker Park Chan-dae, Yonhap News reported.
