AKP Phnom Penh, October 14, 2025 -- 

The Royal Government of Cambodia remains firmly committed to preventing and suppressing all forms of cross-border crimes, particularly online scams, and calls on all nations to strengthen cooperation in addressing these issues, rather than expressing emotions or placing blame on any one country.

“To effectively combat this global crime, states must continue to work together instead of responding emotionally or exploiting the suffering of their citizens by shifting responsibility onto another country. Such actions only create opportunities for criminals to continue their offences,” stressed the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior in a press release dated Oct. 13.

The remarks came following the release of a report by the General Commissariat of National Police on the investigation into the death of a young South Korean national.

According to the spokesperson, the victim’s body was found inside a car in North Kampong Bay village, Sangkat Kampong Bay, Kampot city, at around 2:00 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2025. Two Chinese suspects were immediately arrested.

The victim, identified as 22-year-old Park Minho, arrived in Cambodia on July 17, 2025. A preliminary autopsy indicated that he died of a heart attack caused by severe torture, with multiple bruises and injuries across his body.

The spokesperson clarified that Cambodian authorities have not received any complaint or information from the victim’s family or the South Korean Embassy, contrary to a report by the South China Morning Post claiming that the family had sought assistance through the embassy and local police.

The investigation also led to a raid on a villa in Sangkat Boeung Touk, Bokor city, Kampot province, believed to have been the victim’s residence prior to his death, which was identified as a base for illegal online operations. Another Chinese suspect was detained during the operation.

The three accused are currently in pre-trial detention at Kampot Provincial Prison pending further investigation in accordance with legal procedures. On Oct. 10, the Kampot Provincial Prosecutor’s Office charged the three Chinese nationals and two accomplices with murder accompanied by violence and involvement in online scams.

The Ministry of Interior has also prepared an official letter to the South Korean Embassy to share the investigation results and invite embassy representatives to receive a direct briefing from the National Police Commissioner.

The Ministry affirmed that Cambodian authorities continue to cooperate closely with the South Korean Embassy to facilitate all necessary procedures and are making further efforts to locate and arrest the remaining suspects and their accomplices to ensure justice is served.

By C. Nika