Cambodia to deport 59 Korean nationals in relation to scam operations

Cambodian police announced Thursday that 59 Koreans involved in online scam operations will be deported on Friday.

 
“Authorities plan to deport 59 Korean nationals [...] who have been rescued by Cambodian authorities or detained for other crimes to their country with cooperation from the embassy of South Korea,” said Cambodian police on Thursday, AFP reported. 

According to the Korean broadcaster MBN's Thursday report, the Korean National Police Agency said the announcement had not been coordinated in advance and was made unilaterally by Cambodian police. “Discussions are still ongoing on the ground,” the agency was quoted as saying.

 
Initially, 63 Koreans were detained by Cambodia’s immigration authorities. Two were sent home aboard a Korean airliner on Tuesday. However, the 59 named for deportation by Cambodian authorities differ from the 61 people identified by the Korean government as still being in detention.

The Korean government previously stated that it was preparing flights to bring them home and aimed to complete the repatriation by this weekend.

 
Authorities plan to prioritize deporting individuals who have arrest warrants issued against them in Korea.

Source : https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-10-17/national/socialAffairs/Cambodia-to-deport-59-Korean-nationals-in-relation-to-scam-operations/2422456

Comprehension

How many Koreans are being deported by the Cambodian police?
When is the deportation scheduled to take place?
Who announced the deportation plan?
What crimes were the Koreans allegedly involved in?
How is the South Korean government involved in the situation?
Why did the Korean National Police Agency express concern about Cambodia’s announcement?
How many Koreans were originally detained by Cambodia’s immigration authorities?
Who will be prioritized for deportation according to the authorities?

Discussion

Why do you think some people get involved in online scam operations?
What are the possible consequences of online scams for victims and for criminals?
How can international cooperation help solve cross-border crimes?
Should countries publicly announce deportations before confirming details with other nations?
How might this situation affect the relationship between Cambodia and South Korea?
What can governments do to prevent their citizens from joining illegal activities abroad?
How should authorities treat people who are detained for crimes in other countries?
Do you think the media plays an important role in reporting these events? Why or why not?
How can individuals protect themselves from online scams?
What lessons can other countries learn from this case?

Vocabulary

Deport – to officially send someone out of a country, usually for breaking the law.
Detain – to keep someone in official custody or hold them temporarily.
Authorities – people or organizations with the power to make decisions or enforce laws.
Unilaterally – done by one side only, without agreement from others involved.
Coordinate – to organize or plan something with other people or groups.
Repatriation – the process of returning someone to their home country.
Prioritize – to treat something as more important than other things.
Arrest warrant – an official order allowing the police to arrest someone.