South Korea bans travel to notorious scam complex zones in Cambodia
South Korea has banned travel to certain parts of Cambodia after the death of a college student, reportedly kidnapped and tortured by a crime ring, shocked the nation and led to calls for stronger government intervention. On Wednesday, Seoul designated the Bokor Mountain area, Poipet and Bavet as travel ban zones. “South Korean nationals visiting…
On Wednesday, Seoul designated the Bokor Mountain area, Poipet and Bavet as travel ban zones.
“South Korean nationals visiting or staying in those areas may be subject to penalties under the Passport Act and other relevant regulations. Citizens planning to travel to such areas are therefore strongly advised to cancel their trips,” the foreign ministry said, as reported by Agence France-Presse.
The banned areas were notable for being scam camp hotspots, one South Korean victim told Yonhap news agency on Tuesday.
“Not all regions in Cambodia are the same. Unlike Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, border towns like Poipet and Bavet are among the most dangerous and the last places people are sent to,” he said.
Beatings, torture and even organ harvesting took place regularly in these scam complexes.
