Lee vows harsh punishment for scam crimes

Jan 23, 2026, 07:57 am

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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a senior presidential aides’ meeting at the presidential office on Jan. 22. / Yonhap

President Lee Jae-myung on Jan. 22 delivered a stern warning over overseas voice phishing cases, saying that anyone who preys on South Korean citizens will be “ruined,” whether at home or abroad.

Speaking at a senior aides’ meeting at the presidential office, Lee referred to suspects linked to scam operations in Cambodia who are expected to be extradited to South Korea in the coming days. He instructed officials to make it clear that “committing crimes against South Korean citizens brings not profit but far greater losses.”

“These transnational crimes not only destroy individuals’ lives but also undermine the trust that holds our community together and can even trigger diplomatic disputes,” Lee said. “We must pursue them to the very end and completely eradicate their roots.” He ordered authorities to ensure that perpetrators are punished without exception, regardless of where the crimes are committed.

Lee also called for airtight cooperation with foreign governments to recover illicit proceeds in full, stressing that every possible effort should be made to restore losses suffered by victims.

Turning to the Artificial Intelligence Basic Act, which took effect the same day, Lee urged relevant ministries to provide on-the-ground support so that resource-strapped ventures and startups can adapt smoothly. “Rules for new technologies can sometimes, contrary to their intent, dampen innovation in the field,” he said, emphasizing that “policy is completed not at desks but on the ground.”

The president further pressed ministries to accelerate their work, noting that the window for reform is limited. “The longer time passes, the more momentum fades,” he said. “Reforms that can be carried out should be implemented as soon as possible so the public can feel real change.”

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