• 64 South Koreans repatriated from Cambodia after detention for online scams.
• The group includes both voluntary and involuntary participants in the scams.
• Repatriation initiated after the murder of a South Korean student linked to these operations.
• South Korean authorities vow to investigate and eradicate illegal job offerings targeting citizens.
• US and UK governments have acted against crime syndicates operating scam centers in Southeast Asia.

A group of 64 South Koreans who were detained in Cambodia for allegedly participating in online scam operations has returned home, facing potential investigations from South Korean authorities. Their repatriation on Saturday followed a significant public outcry after the alleged murder of a South Korean college student reportedly tortured in Cambodia, drawing attention to the dangerous conditions of scam employment in the region, according to LATimes, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

According to officials, the return of these nationals occurred under heavy scrutiny as they arrived at Incheon International Airport in handcuffs, likely reflecting the seriousness of the allegations against them. National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac mentioned that among the repatriated individuals, there were both "voluntary and involuntary participants" in the scams, indicating that some may have been lured by false job advertisements, as reported by South China Morning Post and BBC.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has taken swift action following these events, including issuing a "code-black" travel ban for parts of Cambodia. His administration aims to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety of its citizens abroad, particularly those enticed by scams that have proliferated in Southeast Asia since the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our government will build and actively use an effective system to eradicate scams targeting South Koreans in Cambodia," stated Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina, cited by Al Jazeera and The Jakarta Post.

The illegal online scam industry in Cambodia, often referred to as "pig-butchering," has drawn significant attention due to its extensive nature and the involvement of an estimated 200,000 workers from various nations. This illicit business, with substantial connections to organized crime, continues to pose a serious threat to international security. This situation is exacerbated by the recent actions from the US and UK against crime syndicates linked to scams in the region, particularly those entwined with the financial fraud schemes, as detailed by Channel News Asia and BBC.