South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh to bolster cooperation in the fight against transnational crimes, with a specific focus on criminal cyberscams. The meeting addressed the growing security issue of scam operations based in Southeast Asia that have victimized South Korean nationals.

During the discussion, Foreign Minister Cho requested close cooperation from the Cambodian government to protect South Korean citizens and prevent future victimization. Cho’s visit marks the first official trip to Cambodia by a South Korean foreign minister in nine years, highlighting the significance of the issue.

High-Level Diplomatic Engagement on Transnational Crime

The meeting underscored a mutual commitment to addressing the sophisticated criminal networks operating in the region. According to a statement from the Cambodian prime minister’s office, Hun Manet agreed on the importance of bilateral cooperation and affirmed his government’s dedication to combating all forms of crime. Foreign Minister Cho also expressed his gratitude to the Cambodian government for its recent successful efforts in rescuing South Korean victims caught in these criminal enterprises.

Responding to a Regional Crisis

Cyberscam operations have become a significant regional security concern. A report from the U.N. Human Rights Office indicated that hundreds of thousands of people across Southeast Asia are being forcibly engaged in online scam operations by organized crime syndicates. These criminal activities, which include romance scams, crypto fraud, and illegal gambling, generate billions of dollars in revenue. The gangs often lure victims with false promises of high-paying jobs before trapping them in situations of forced criminality.

In a recent enforcement action in April, Cambodian police rescued more than 400 foreigners, including four South Koreans, who were allegedly forced to participate in illegal online gambling operations in the coastal city of Sihanoukville. In addition to addressing the cyberscam issue, the leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in other sectors such as trade, investment, and development.