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Growing criticism is being directed at the South Korean government’s handling of incidents involving Koreans in Cambodia, as there has been a rise in crimes against them. Major nations such as the United States have taken strong measures, including financial penalties against Cambodian organizations and exerting diplomatic pressure, as more of their citizens were affected. However, South Korea’s reaction has been seen as slow or insufficient.

The U.S. and the U.K. labeled the “Prince Group” and “Hui Yuan Group,” both based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as entities involved in money laundering and human trafficking on the 14th of last month, including more than 100 subsidiaries and virtual asset transaction networks on their sanctions list. The two nations froze properties and Bitcoin acquired through illicit funds and pursued legal action against key individuals. In contrast, the South Korean government has not conducted separate sanctions. Experts noted, “Although there could be factors like limited effectiveness due to money laundering primarily involving U.S. dollars, there is a need to develop ‘customized sanctions’ targeting criminal organizations and apply diplomatic pressure.”

Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam have been actively carrying out repatriation efforts for their citizens who were detained in Cambodian criminal facilities since the early 2020s. Starting in 2022, Taiwan issued a “Cambodia employment fraud warning” and took action to block fraudulent job postings on social media platforms. In 2022, Vietnam rescued 26 of its nationals who were held in a casino located in Kandal Province, Cambodia. In July of this year, it also rescued 140 of its citizens from a criminal facility. Japan repatriated 79 of its citizens in two separate missions conducted in May and August of this year.

More than 60 South Koreans are still being held in Cambodia. A police representative stated, “Some of the individuals detained in Cambodia have indicated their wish to stay, making the process of returning them more challenging.”