South Korea Bans Travel to Parts of Cambodia Following Student's Torture and Killing
Seoul bans travel to the Bokor Mountain area in Kampot Province, Bavet City, and Poipet City amid reports of scam operations and the recent death of a South Korean student.
South Korea has banned travel to parts of Cambodia following the torture and killing of a South Korean college student there.
The move comes as South Korea prepares to send a special team to Cambodia later on Wednesday to discuss cases of fake jobs and scam centers that have reportedly kidnapped dozens of its nationals.
According to the foreign ministry, the Bokor Mountain area in Kampot Province, Bavet City, and Poipet City are designated as travel ban zones.
South Korean nationals visiting or staying in these areas may be subject to penalties, with citizens planning to travel there strongly advised to cancel their trips.
The ban follows an announcement that approximately 1,000 South Koreans are believed to be working in Cambodian scam operations targeting potential victims in South Korea.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac reported that around 200,000 people of various nationalities work in Cambodia's scam industry, which targets victims worldwide, including those in South Korea.
Seoul estimates that about 1,000 South Koreans are employed in these operations.
Authorities have vowed to bring back the 63 South Koreans believed to be detained by Cambodian authorities and plan to arrange a flight to do so within the week.
Most of the detainees are considered to have committed criminal acts for participating in the schemes.
A government official stated that the response team, including officials from the police and South Korea's spy agency, will depart on Wednesday evening.
The team aims to discuss repatriation and conduct investigations into recent events, particularly the death of a South Korean student who was reportedly kidnapped and tortured by a crime ring.
An autopsy revealed the student died due to severe torture with multiple bruises and injuries across his body.
Three Chinese nationals were charged with murder and online fraud and remain in pre-trial detention.
Many South Korean victims are lured by fraudulent job offers promising high pay, according to Seoul.
Human rights group Amnesty International reports that abuses in Cambodia's scam centers occur on a 'mass scale,' with at least 53 compounds where organized criminal groups carry out human trafficking, forced labor, torture, deprivation of liberty, and slavery.
The move comes as South Korea prepares to send a special team to Cambodia later on Wednesday to discuss cases of fake jobs and scam centers that have reportedly kidnapped dozens of its nationals.
According to the foreign ministry, the Bokor Mountain area in Kampot Province, Bavet City, and Poipet City are designated as travel ban zones.
South Korean nationals visiting or staying in these areas may be subject to penalties, with citizens planning to travel there strongly advised to cancel their trips.
The ban follows an announcement that approximately 1,000 South Koreans are believed to be working in Cambodian scam operations targeting potential victims in South Korea.
National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac reported that around 200,000 people of various nationalities work in Cambodia's scam industry, which targets victims worldwide, including those in South Korea.
Seoul estimates that about 1,000 South Koreans are employed in these operations.
Authorities have vowed to bring back the 63 South Koreans believed to be detained by Cambodian authorities and plan to arrange a flight to do so within the week.
Most of the detainees are considered to have committed criminal acts for participating in the schemes.
A government official stated that the response team, including officials from the police and South Korea's spy agency, will depart on Wednesday evening.
The team aims to discuss repatriation and conduct investigations into recent events, particularly the death of a South Korean student who was reportedly kidnapped and tortured by a crime ring.
An autopsy revealed the student died due to severe torture with multiple bruises and injuries across his body.
Three Chinese nationals were charged with murder and online fraud and remain in pre-trial detention.
Many South Korean victims are lured by fraudulent job offers promising high pay, according to Seoul.
Human rights group Amnesty International reports that abuses in Cambodia's scam centers occur on a 'mass scale,' with at least 53 compounds where organized criminal groups carry out human trafficking, forced labor, torture, deprivation of liberty, and slavery.
