64 South Koreans repatriated from Cambodia to face criminal investigations for online scam operations
South Korean nationals reportedly arrested upon boarding flight to Incheon, to be taken to police stations for questioning after arrival

ISTANBUL
Sixty-four South Koreans who were repatriated Saturday from Cambodia will face criminal investigations for online scam operations conducted in the Southeast Asian country, according to Yonhap News, citing police officials.
The South Koreans were reportedly arrested by accompanying officers upon boarding a flight to Incheon city and will be taken to police stations for questioning after arrival.
The operation was South Korea’s largest single-country criminal repatriation and the third of its kind.
The operation followed the torture and death of a South Korean college student lured to Cambodia by a criminal ring, sparking public outrage and drawing attention to the growing number of South Koreans allegedly deceived by fake high-paying job offers and being forced to work in online scams.
Seoul has imposed a travel ban on several Cambodian provinces, effective Thursday, amid the developments.
The South Koreans had previously been detained in Cambodia for their alleged involvement in online scam operations.
Seoul sent a response team to Cambodia earlier this week to tackle the online scam problem.
"Through this visit, we reaffirmed the Cambodian government's willingness to cooperate and reached an agreement to bolster bilateral cooperation by institutionalizing a joint response task force (for such crimes)," said Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Ji-na, who headed the task force.
"The government will work to establish an effective system for eradicating online scam crimes in Cambodia targeting South Koreans, and actively utilize the system," she added.
The head of the National Office of Investigation and member of the response team, Park Sung-joo, also said that Phnom Penh agreed to "swiftly" notify Seoul of any additional arrests of South Koreans during its crackdown on online scam rings.
The two countries will also exchange evidence related to the scams, such as mobile phones, added Park.
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