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South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a meets with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh on Oct. 16 to discuss cooperation in addressing crimes targeting Korean nationals. / Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed “deep regret” over the recent death of a South Korean citizen in Cambodia and pledged stronger efforts to protect Koreans in the country, while asking Seoul to lower its recently elevated travel advisory.

The remarks came during a meeting Thursday between Hun and Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jin-a, who heads South Korea’s interagency task force dispatched to Cambodia to address a string of abductions and confinement cases involving Korean nationals.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Kim conveyed Seoul’s “grave concern” over continuing incidents of employment scams and unlawful detention targeting Koreans. She called for Phnom Penh’s “active cooperation” to protect South Korean citizens and eliminate online scam networks.

Kim also requested Cambodia’s help in repatriating detained Koreans and in expediting the return of the remains of a South Korean national found dead in the Bokor Mountain area in August, along with judicial cooperation in the related investigation.

In response, Hun Manet said he was “deeply saddened and regretful” over the death and pledged to step up enforcement efforts. He said Cambodia is strengthening crackdowns through the Committee on Countering Online Scams (CCSO), which he personally chairs, and vowed to arrest fugitives and enhance protection for Korean residents.

Hun also expressed concern that South Korea’s recent decision to raise its travel warning for Cambodia could hurt investment and tourism, urging that it be lowered as soon as possible.

Kim explained that the measure was “an unavoidable decision based on current conditions” but added that Seoul would consider lowering it once the situation improves. She also noted that South Korea is exploring development cooperation projects to help strengthen Cambodia’s law enforcement capacity.

Later that day, members of the task force visited one of the scam compounds in Takeo Province, known as the “Taija Complex,” to inspect on-site conditions and review the status of local crackdowns.