This year, a total of 513 cases suspected to involve South Koreans being kidnapped, detained, or missing in foreign countries such as Cambodia were reported. Of these, 162 cases (31.6%) have not had their safety confirmed.
National Office of Investigation (NOI) Deputy Minister Park Sung-ju said at a press briefing on the 27th that "from Jan. 1 to Oct. 23 this year, a total of 513 suspected cases of kidnapping, detention, or missing persons were reported to the Korean National Police Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs."
Of these, 295 cases involved the reported individuals returning to Korea, and 218 involved those who have not returned. Among the cases where the reported individuals have not yet returned, 162 have not had their safety confirmed, and police are currently investigating any links to crime.
Since the 16th, police have been running a "special report and voluntary surrender period for suspected overseas kidnapping and detention cases and phishing crimes." Police have received cases from various Southeast Asian countries and neighbors, including ▲ 11 in Thailand ▲ 7 in the Philippines ▲ 8 in Vietnam ▲ 2 in Malaysia ▲ 2 in Laos ▲ 1 in China ▲ 1 in India. Reports vary, from those involved in crimes to family members of victims.
As authorities in Cambodia and Myanmar carry out a large-scale crackdown on "criminal compounds," there are concerns about a "balloon effect" in which criminal bases will move to other Southeast Asian countries. Focusing on police attachés stationed locally, police are checking whether crime hubs are shifting to countries around Cambodia, such as Laos.
Regarding suspicions that criminal groups in Cambodia are linked to illegal lenders in Korea, the Deputy Minister said, "We will extend the special crackdown on illegal private lending that has continued since November last year and take a comprehensive look at Cambodia-related matters."
Police are currently investigating whether there are links to illegal private lending and lend businesses among the 64 South Koreans who were involved in crimes in Cambodia and were repatriated on the 18th. Police plan to refer all 59 of the 64 who were arrested to prosecutors this week with detention.
A police-led "international cooperation consultative body" involving Asia-Pacific countries such as South Korea, Cambodia, and the United States is set to carry out a "transnational joint operation" on the 11th of next month. It will not involve joint arrests or sweeps; instead, more than 10 countries will gather to share suspect lists, identities, and whereabouts.
The Deputy Minister said, "Cambodian authorities understand our position 100%," noting that local authorities also expressed affinity by mentioning international marriages between the two countries.