A 22-year-old Korean college student has died in Cambodia after being kidnapped and tortured by a local crime group, prompting renewed alarm over the safety of Korean nationals in the region.

 

The student, identified only by his surname A, travelled to Cambodia in mid-July for what he told family was an exhibition visit. A week later, his relatives received a chilling ransom call demanding 50 million won (£30,000) for his release. The caller spoke with a Chinese-Korean accent and claimed A had “caused trouble.”

 

Despite urgent appeals to the Cambodian Embassy and local police, the family was unable to locate him. Communication with the kidnappers ceased after four days. On 8 August, A’s body was discovered near Bokor Mountain in Kampot province. Authorities confirmed he died of cardiac arrest brought on by torture and extreme pain.

 

His body remains in Cambodia due to local autopsy and cremation protocols, with repatriation expected later this month. “It feels like he’s being killed twice,” a family member said. “He still hasn’t come home.”

 

The case has cast a harsh spotlight on the rising number of kidnappings targeting Korean nationals in Cambodia. According to official figures, incidents surged from around 20 annually in 2022 and 2023 to 220 last year, with 330 cases already recorded by August this year.

 

In response, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued updated travel advisories on 17 September, raising Phnom Penh to Level 2 (“reconsider travel”) and flagging high-risk zones including Sihanoukville, Bokor Mountain and Bavet at Level 2.5.

 

The brutal death of student A underscores the growing threat posed by organised crime in Cambodia, particularly in areas known for online scams and illicit activity. As investigations continue, calls are mounting for stronger international cooperation and more robust protection for foreign travellers.

 

For now, A’s grieving family waits for his return—while others reconsider their travel plans to a country increasingly marked by danger.

 

 

-2025-10-10

No issues for all the Koreans, Japanese who flock the Thermae bar in Bangkok and pay absurdly high rates to the pick up freelancer ladies and cause inflation in the market !!!

A very nasty business.

R.I.P. young man.

14 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

No issues for all the Koreans, Japanese who flock the Thermae bar in Bangkok and pay absurdly high rates to the pick up freelancer ladies and cause inflation in the market !!!

What's this got to do with the OP?

A few years ago I spent a month traveling Cambodia by myself.  Not these days.  Only travel “buddy system” style and that’s not always safe.  

19 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

No issues for all the Koreans, Japanese who flock the Thermae bar in Bangkok and pay absurdly high rates to the pick up freelancer ladies and cause inflation in the market !!!

A young man has been murdered and this is your attempt at humour?

You are a sick puppy.