The tragic death of a young South Korean student in Cambodia has sent shockwaves through South Korea, igniting fierce public outrage and prompting urgent diplomatic action. As details emerge, the case is shedding light on the dangerous underbelly of overseas job scams, the vulnerability of foreign workers, and the growing transnational criminal networks exploiting desperate job seekers.
On August 8, 2025, Park Minho, a 22-year-old South Korean tourist, was found dead inside a car near Bokor mountain in Cambodia’s Kampot province. According to local police and the Kampot provincial court, Park’s death was caused by cardiac arrest following torture. The grim discovery was made in an area notorious for criminal activity, particularly illegal job scams and the detention of foreign nationals, as reported by The Chosun Daily.
The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of three Chinese citizens: Li Xingpeng, 32, Zhu Renzhe, 43, and Liu Haoxing, 29. Liu was identified as Park’s supervisor at a villa on Bokor mountain, where the abuse allegedly occurred. The Kampot court accepted criminal charges against all three suspects for violent murder and fraud using technology, in accordance with Cambodian law. The suspects are currently being held at Kampot prison, awaiting trial.
This incident is not an isolated case. Just weeks earlier, at the end of September 2025, four Chinese nationals and one Cambodian were arrested in Phnom Penh for kidnapping and torturing a 50-year-old South Korean. Authorities seized handguns and communication devices during the operation, highlighting the organized and armed nature of these criminal groups, as detailed by Cambodianess.
Park’s death and the spate of similar cases have provoked a strong response from the South Korean government. On October 10, 2025, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun summoned Cambodian Ambassador Khuon Phon Rattanak to Seoul, expressing deep concern and demanding a thorough, transparent investigation. According to The Chosun Daily, Cho also pressed for swift justice and urged Cambodia to implement practical measures to combat the rising tide of job scams targeting Korean citizens.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wasted no time in issuing a travel warning for Phnom Penh, advising its citizens to exercise extreme caution due to ongoing scams and increasing reports of violence against foreigners. The government also called for enhanced cooperation between South Korean and Cambodian police forces, the establishment of dedicated support departments for Korean nationals, and the development of rapid response mechanisms to address emergencies.
"The safety of our citizens abroad is our highest priority," said Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, as quoted by The Chosun Daily. "We urge the Cambodian authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation and to bring those responsible to justice."
The tragedy of Park Minho has also served as a painful reminder of the myriad risks facing those seeking employment overseas, especially in Southeast Asia. South Korean authorities have repeatedly warned about the proliferation of job scams in countries like Cambodia, where criminal syndicates lure victims with promises of high-paying jobs. Once abroad, victims often find themselves trapped, their documents confiscated, and subjected to forced labor, violence, or even trafficking.
The dangers are not limited to financial exploitation. In a harrowing case revealed on October 11, 2025, two South Korean men, identified only as A (in his 20s) and B (in his 30s), were rescued after being held captive for 160 days in Cambodia. Victim A was enticed by an online advertisement offering an IT job with a monthly salary of 8–15 million won (approximately $6,000–$11,000 USD). Upon arrival, he was taken straight to a crime complex and forced to participate in phone scams impersonating government officials. When he resisted, he was threatened, beaten with water pipes, and electrocuted for over 100 days. His roommate, B, managed to send a desperate plea for help via Telegram, but when their captors discovered the attempt, both men were hooded, thrown into a car trunk, and relocated to Sihanoukville. There, they were chained to their beds or ankles and continuously threatened with death if they reported their ordeal again.
Their rescue, which came after a second successful message for help, was made possible through the intervention of local police and the office of South Korean lawmaker Park Chan-dae, following an appeal from the victims’ families. Both men are now undergoing investigation in Cambodia and preparing to return to South Korea, according to The Chosun Daily.
These stories are not just tales of individual suffering—they are stark warnings about the hidden dangers lurking behind the façade of lucrative overseas job offers. The South Korean government has urged its citizens to exercise extreme caution when seeking work abroad. Official advisories stress the importance of thoroughly researching recruitment companies, reviewing labor contracts carefully, staying in regular contact with family and friends, and familiarizing oneself with local support organizations. "Verify every detail before making a decision," said a spokesperson from South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "When in doubt, consult with your embassy or consulate."
Experts point out that language and cultural barriers can further compound the risks faced by foreign workers. Without adequate knowledge of local customs or the ability to communicate effectively, victims may find themselves isolated and unable to seek help. In many cases, criminal syndicates exploit these vulnerabilities, using intimidation and violence to keep their victims in line.
Even those who avoid outright scams may still face grueling working conditions: low pay, long hours, lack of medical insurance, and discrimination are common complaints among migrant workers in Southeast Asia. The absence of robust legal protections and limited access to support services can leave foreign nationals feeling alone and powerless when problems arise.
The South Korean government’s response has been robust, but critics argue that more proactive measures are needed to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the first place. Calls are growing for increased international cooperation to dismantle transnational criminal networks, stricter regulation of overseas recruitment agencies, and greater public education on the risks of working abroad.
For now, the death of Park Minho and the ordeal of other victims stand as sobering reminders of the dark realities that can lie behind the promise of opportunity overseas. As authorities in both South Korea and Cambodia continue their investigations, families and communities are left to grapple with grief, anger, and a renewed determination to protect those seeking a better life beyond their borders.
As the world becomes ever more interconnected, the challenge of safeguarding citizens abroad grows ever more complex. It is a challenge that demands vigilance, compassion, and unwavering commitment from governments, communities, and individuals alike.
