Sharp rise in cases of South Koreans kidnapped in Cambodia: Report
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Follow topic:
SEOUL - A total of 252 cases of South Koreans being kidnapped and confined in Cambodia had been reported as of July this year, a sharp increase from 17 in 2023 and 220 in 2024, according to local media reports on Sept 2, citing government data.
South Korean broadcaster MBC reported that a woman in her 20s who was recently rescued after being confined in Cambodia, said at least 13 more South Koreans remain locked in the buildings where she had been held.
She said she was lured to Cambodia by a fraudulent job offer promising high pay, but was abducted after taking a car arranged by a Korean-speaking Cambodian man she met at the airport.
The victim said she was robbed of 18 million won (S$16,630) from her bank account and was beaten and tortured for several days until she could barely walk.
She also told the broadcaster that when she entered one of the rooms, she saw rows of people, presumed to be South Koreans, face down on the floor in front of computers and other devices.
During her stay, they were identified only by numbers and not allowed to share their names.
In August, a South Korean man surnamed Park was found dead in Cambodia
The South Korean government said it has asked Cambodian police to conduct a prompt investigation.
Such crime rings in Cambodia are believed to involve collusion between triads, or Chinese organised crime groups, and Cambodian officials.
Amnesty International published a report in June
