SEOUL, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- The South Korean government will send a joint response team to Cambodia to oversee the repatriation of citizens being held in the country after a surge in kidnappings, Seoul's presidential office said Tuesday, following the highly publicized torture and murder of a 22-year-old who was lured by a scam job order.
The team, led by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na, will depart Wednesday, presidential spokesman Kim Nam-joon told reporters. Members of the National Police Agency and the National Intelligence Service will participate in the mission.
"The Ministry will make every possible diplomatic effort to encourage Cambodian cooperation and, in consultation with relevant ministries and agencies, strengthen the embassy's response capabilities, including increasing the number of police officers stationed at the Cambodian embassy," Kim said.
"The government will also consider upgrading travel alerts for key crime areas in Cambodia to prevent further damage," he added.
The move comes after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday called for government ministries to use "all available resources" to help South Koreans trapped in Cambodia return home.
