S.Korea and Cambodia to launch ‘Korea Task Force’ to combat scam crimes targeting Koreans

President Lee Jae-myung and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed on October 27 (local time) to launch a “Korea Task Force” to jointly combat scam crimes targeting South Korean nationals in Cambodia.

According to Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung, speaking at a press briefing in Kuala Lumpur, the two leaders decided to begin operating the joint task force in November. “The two countries will establish the ‘Korea Task Force’ to coordinate crackdowns and investigations into crimes targeting Koreans,” Kang said, adding that the operation will involve close cooperation between law enforcement authorities from both sides.

“The size of the Korean police contingent and specific operational details will be finalized soon,” she added.

Prime Minister Hun Manet explained that “the Cambodian government has significantly improved its public security and capacity to respond to transnational crimes through intensive crackdowns on scam organizations.” In response, President Lee instructed officials to “review lowering the travel advisory level for certain areas such as Phnom Penh, in light of improved security conditions and the launch of the Korea Task Force,” Kang said.

Meanwhile, questions arose when Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived about nine minutes late for the meeting. Addressing the issue, Spokesperson Kang clarified, “It was not a delay but a brief entry control due to overlapping schedules with the Australian Prime Minister’s meeting. Given the tight schedule of the summit sessions, this was a natural occurrence.”