An analysis found that more than 3,000 of our nationals who departed for Cambodia last year are presumed not to have returned. The government believes about 1,000 nationals are working in the scam industry in Cambodia.
According to the "Statistics on entries and exits of Koreans to and from Cambodia" submitted by Rep. Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party of Korea to the Ministry of Justice on Oct. 20, the number of Koreans who departed for Cambodia was 5,476 in 2021, 35,606 in 2022, 84,378 in 2023, and 100,820 last year.
During the same period, the number of Koreans entering from Cambodia was 5,363 in 2021, 32,397 in 2022, 81,716 in 2023, and 97,572 last year.
The trend of more people entering Korea than departing for Cambodia continues. Departures exceeded entries by 113 in 2021, 3,209 in 2022, 2,662 in 2023, and 3,248 in 2024.
From January to August this year, 67,609 people departed, and 66,745 returned. Departures exceeded entries by 864.
However, if travelers departed for Cambodia and then moved to neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Laos, or Thailand, returning to Korea from there, they are not captured in this statistic.
Nevertheless, even accounting for short-term tourists or business trips, some note that there may be far more long-term residents in Cambodia involved in illegal employment or tied to scam rings than expected. There are also reportedly cases of people departing for Thailand or Vietnam, then entering Cambodia and becoming involved with scam rings.
Rep. Park Chan-dae said, "If local testimony is accurate, it seems there are many victims who have not yet come to light," and added, "It is essential at the government level to fully cross-check individual entry and exit records with consular and police data to reexamine those who have not returned."