Lee Jae-myung, the president, on the 11th ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mount an all-out response regarding a spate of crimes such as job-related abductions and confinement targeting Korean nationals in Cambodia.
An official from the presidential office said, "The president, after receiving a recent report on crimes in Cambodia, instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make every diplomatic effort to protect our nationals."
The official said, "Accordingly, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken various measures, including securing cooperation from the Cambodian government, and will take additional steps if necessary."
Earlier, in Aug., a college student identified as A was tortured to death by a criminal organization in Cambodia, and crimes targeting Koreans have continued in the country.
Cho Hyun, the Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the previous day summoned Khuon Phonlathanak, the Cambodian ambassador to Korea, expressed strong concern over the matter, and urged the preparation of countermeasures.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also raised the travel advisory for the capital, Phnom Penh, to a special travel alert.