Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
South Korean And Cambodian authorities have agreed to crack down on online scams after the death of one South Korean The student who was allegedly trafficked and forced to work at a scam center cambodia,
A South Korean The delegation visited the Cambodian capital, phnom penhOn Thursday for talks with officials including Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
It is estimated that about 200,000 people, including about 1,000 South Koreans, are working on online scam sites. cambodia,
In August, the body of 22-year-old student Park Min-ho was found in a pickup truck in Cambodia’s southern Kampot province.Authorities said he died of a heart attack after being tortured and beaten.
South Korean The delegation is hoping to repatriate its citizens involved in online scams cambodia And for the return of the remains of the park, south koreaU.S. National Security Director Y. Sung-lak told a briefing soul,
Wi previously said the return of the body was delayed due to disputes over South Korea’s request for an autopsy by pathologists from both countries.
He said both sides reached an agreement and the results of the talks would be announced later on Thursday.
It was not immediately clear how they came to operate on 1,000 South Korean online scam sites. cambodiaBut South Korean officials believe many people were lured with promises of high-paying jobs before being forced to work against their will, but some also went there willingly.
There were reports of 330 South Koreans being detained in the first eight months of this year alone cambodiaWai said at a briefing earlier on Wednesday, citing reports from victims and their relatives. Wai said that 80 percent of these cases have been resolved.
Hun Manet said the two sides on Thursday discussed joint efforts to combat transnational crimes, including online scams Telegram,
“Cambodia and the Republic of Korea will continue to strengthen their cooperation to prevent, suppress and more effectively combat online scams, contributing to the maintenance of peace, public order and social security,” he said.
Wi said South Korea would have a limitation in dealing with such an international online scam industry based in a foreign country. But he said South Korea would take “all available methods” to protect the safety of South Koreans and properties and promote coordination with Cambodia, neighboring countries and international organizations.
Hun Manet said that “Cambodia does not need a neighboring country to do this kind of work on its behalf” to address online scam issues and that both countries could resolve the matter bilaterally without the need for any third party involvement.
Wi said South Korea is demanding the early repatriation of 60 South Koreans recently arrested in Cambodia on suspicion of involvement in online scams. Once repatriated, they will face investigation and possible legal penalties depending on their degree of involvement, Wai said.
He said South Korea would still attempt to locate and bring home South Koreans listed as missing, including those possibly being held against their will in online scam centers in Cambodia.
On Thursday, a South Korean travel ban went into effect for parts of Cambodia including the Bokor Mountains in Kampot province, where Park Min-ho was found dead, as well as the cities of Bavet and Poipet on the border with Cambodia. vietnam And Thailand,
united nations And other agencies have estimated that cyber scams, most of them, originated from Southeast AsiaInternational criminal gangs earn billions of dollars annually. Cyber criminals pretend to be friends or broker fake investment opportunities to dupe their targets across the globe.
Jeremy Douglas, former regional representative Southeast Asia and this CalmCurrent Chief of Staff for now united nations Drugs and Crime Office said this Southeast Asia – especially the border areas of the Mekong region between Cambodia, laos, myanmar And Thailand — “arguably the most significant global hub for scams and illegal online gaming.”
“And the reason for this is quite simple – criminals like the conditions, the freedom they get, the ability to make and hide money with less resistance.”
Douglas said, “It is not clear how governments will respond, but the key thing now is to come together on a regional solution. The situation cannot be easily ignored.”