South Korea bars travel to parts of Cambodia amid concerns over scam centres

South Korea, shaken by the torture and killing of a college student in Cambodia, imposed travel bans on Oct 15 to parts of the country.

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“The Bokor Mountain area in Kampot Province, Bavet City and Poipet City are designated as travel ban zones,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“South Korean nationals visiting or staying in those areas may be subject to penalties under the Passport Act and other relevant regulations. Citizens planning to travel to such areas are therefore strongly advised to cancel their trips,” it said.

About 1,000 South Koreans are believed to be working in online scam operations in Cambodia, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said earlier on Oct 15.

South Korea will send a special team to the Southeast Asian country to discuss cases of fake jobs and scam centres involved in kidnapping dozens of its nationals.

“It is believed that around 200,000 people of various nationalities are working in Cambodia’s scam industry, which targets victims worldwide, including in South Korea,” he told reporters.

“A considerable number of South Koreans are also thought to be employed there.