Cambodia arrested 10 more South Koreans in scam crackdown: Seoul

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Cambodia has arrested 10 more South Korean nationals in a crackdown on online scams, Seoul’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday.

The remarks came after South Korea on Saturday repatriated 64 of its nationals who had been detained in Cambodia for their alleged involvement in online scam operations.

Cho told a news conference that during their crackdown, Cambodian authorities on Thursday arrested about 10 South Koreans for their suspected involvement in the crime.

Cho added that two other South Korean nationals, believed to be victims of the crime, were rescued the same day. They all plan to be repatriated this week, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News.

He added that the Foreign Ministry has launched a full-scale inspection of South Korean citizens connected to online scams around the world, with the ministry planning to hire 40 more consular personnel to address such incidents.

Cho called for close cooperation with Cambodia to resolve this situation, saying: "We believe we can respond effectively through close consultations with the Cambodian government.”

Public concerns intensified after a South Korean college student was reportedly tortured and killed in August by a criminal group running online scams in Cambodia.

In response, South Korea has ramped up diplomatic efforts and investigations, including operations to locate and rescue its citizens from criminal groups.