SEOUL, 14 October 2025 – South Korea is intensifying diplomatic efforts with Cambodia following the death of a university student who was allegedly tortured by members of an online scam syndicate, President Lee Jae Myung said on Tuesday.
At a cabinet meeting, Lee urged officials to launch “all-out efforts” to safeguard citizens overseas, calling the protection of South Koreans abroad the government’s “highest duty.” He also demanded the swift repatriation of all nationals trapped in similar fraudulent networks operating in Southeast Asia.
The move follows the killing of 22-year-old student Park Min-ho, who was found dead near Bokor Mountain in Cambodia’s Kampot province in late July. Cambodian investigators said Park died from severe torture, citing multiple bruises and injuries across his body.
Park is believed to have been lured to Cambodia by a fake job offer before being forced to take part in online scams, including voice phishing operations. Rescued victims told South Korean lawmaker Park Chan-dae that those who refused to cooperate were beaten with metal pipes and shocked with electric devices.
Three Chinese nationals have been charged with murder and online fraud in connection with Park’s death, while two other suspects remain at large. His remains are still held in Cambodia as both governments discuss conducting a joint autopsy.
South Korea’s National Security Office has set up an emergency task force to repatriate citizens caught in scam compounds and plans to send police officers to Cambodia to create a dedicated “Korean desk” for direct coordination with local authorities.
Cambodia’s Interior Ministry has rejected accusations of negligence, saying it had not received complaints from Park’s family or the Korean embassy prior to finding the body during a patrol. The ministry said it continues to cooperate closely with South Korean investigators.
The incident has reignited anger in Seoul, where lawmakers have called for a tougher stance against Cambodia. Democratic Party representative Lee Un-ju wrote on Facebook that if Cambodian authorities fail to act decisively, South Korea should consider “strong measures” to protect its nationals.
The number of South Koreans abducted in Cambodia has risen sharply, from 17 cases in 2023 to 220 last year, and 330 reported by August 2025, according to data from South Korea’s Foreign Ministry.
In response, the government has issued special travel advisories for Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, and Bokor Mountain, urging citizens to postpone non-essential trips.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International recently identified 53 large-scale scam compounds operating across Cambodia and accused the government of allowing such criminal networks to thrive through lack of enforcement.
