The South Korean government on Wednesday imposed a travel ban on selected areas of Cambodia following the gruesome killing of one of its nationals, a university student, allegedly tortured to death by a criminal gang operating in the Southeast Asian nation.
The ban, which took immediate effect, covers Bokor Mountain in Kampot Province, Bavet City, and Poipet City—locations notorious for their links to cybercrime and human trafficking.
In a statement, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that citizens visiting or remaining in the affected areas would face sanctions upon their return home.
“South Korean nationals are strongly advised to cancel any travel plans to the designated areas due to rising security concerns,” the ministry said.
The move followed mounting public outrage over the death of a South Korean college student whose body was discovered in a pickup truck on August 8. Cambodian police investigations revealed that the young man had been kidnapped and tortured to death by a gang suspected of running online scam operations.
A Cambodian court later confirmed that three Chinese nationals had been charged with murder and online fraud in connection with the killing.
Determined to address the growing number of South Koreans trapped or detained in Cambodia’s scam networks, Seoul announced that a high-level delegation led by the Vice Foreign Minister would depart for Phnom Penh on Wednesday night.
According to National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac, the special team comprises senior officials from the Foreign Ministry, the National Police Agency, and the National Intelligence Service.
“We are arranging a flight to bring back our citizens currently detained in Cambodia and hope to complete the process within the week,” Wi told reporters in Seoul.
He disclosed that at least 63 South Koreans are presently in custody in Cambodia. While some were reportedly lured by fake job offers, others allegedly took part in fraudulent activities.
“Most of them will be treated as offenders and subjected to investigation upon arrival,” Wi stated.
South Korea estimates that about 1,000 of its citizens are employed in Cambodia’s thriving online scam industry, often under exploitative or coercive conditions.
Amnesty International, in its latest assessment, described the situation as “a mass-scale human rights crisis,” noting that there are at least 53 known scam compounds in Cambodia where criminal syndicates subject workers to forced labour, torture, and slavery-like treatment.
Between January and August 2025, South Korean authorities received reports of more than 330 nationals missing or detained in Cambodia. Though most have since been located, about 80 individuals remain unaccounted for.
The presidential office in Seoul said the government would intensify diplomatic engagement with Cambodia to ensure the safety and repatriation of its citizens.
“We will make every effort through diplomatic channels to strengthen cooperation with the Cambodian government,” the statement read.
