South Korea pledges $13m boost for Cambodia police

South Korea has announced a major support package to strengthen Cambodia’s policing and forensic capabilities, underlining growing cooperation between the two countries in tackling transnational crime.

At a summit in Phnom Penh on 29 April, the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), led by Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae Seong, met with Cambodia’s National Police Commissioner General Sar Theth. The talks focused on expanding joint efforts against increasingly complex crimes, from online scams to drug trafficking and illegal gambling.

The centrepiece of the partnership is an Official Development Assistance project worth 18 billion won (around $13 million), delivered through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and KNPA. The funding will support Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior, with a particular focus on crime scene investigation and forensic science. A portion will go directly to the Cambodian National Police to improve its ability to respond to sophisticated criminal networks.

“KNPA is committed to strengthening the Cambodian police’s capacity by sharing advanced policing systems and investigation techniques,” the agency said in a statement. Officials stressed that the cooperation aims to enhance safety for citizens of both countries and reinforce their partnership against transnational crime.

Park Jun Sung, Acting Director General of the KNPA’s International Cooperation Bureau, described the summit as a reflection of “strong trust” between the two police agencies. He said the expanded collaboration would ensure better protection for citizens and help safeguard security across Asia.

One key outcome was the decision to broaden the mandate of the Cambodia-Korea Joint Task Force for Koreans (CKJTFK). Previously focused on online scams, the task force will now also target drug offences and illegal gambling. The move is expected to improve information sharing and joint investigations, as criminal syndicates increasingly establish hubs across Southeast Asia.

Recent operations highlight the effectiveness of this cooperation. Between December 2025 and March 2026, the task force arrested 116 major criminals, including a Korean fugitive hiding in Cambodia, and rescued five Korean nationals from confinement.

For Cambodia, the partnership represents both financial and technical support at a time when transnational crime is becoming more sophisticated. For South Korea, it strengthens protection for its citizens abroad and deepens its role in regional security.

As criminal networks expand across borders, both countries are betting that closer cooperation — backed by significant investment — will be essential to keeping pace.

-2026-04-30