A South Korean woman who traveled to Cambodia for a translation job offer was rescued after being trafficked and forced into livestream exploitation, shedding light on a growing crisis affecting Korean nationals in Southeast Asia.
In April 2024, 30-year-old Kim Min Ha (alias) arrived in Phnom Penh after being promised a Japanese interpreter job. At the airport, she was greeted by a sharply dressed Korean man who appeared to be a model or actor. However, the promise was a ruse.
After a four-hour drive, Kim was taken to an apartment near the coast of Sihanoukville. Just as she messaged her family saying she had arrived safely, three unknown men barged into the room, yelling, “Give us your phone.” When she resisted, her arm was twisted, and both her phone and passport were seized. That night marked the beginning of what Kim described as “hell.”
Kim was forced to participate in adult livestreams — made to undress on camera and beg viewers for donations. A revenue goal was posted on the wall, and failure to meet it resulted in verbal abuse and physical assault. From a nearby room, she occasionally heard faint cries for help.
The apartment’s lights were never turned off. For weeks, she lived in a brightly lit space under constant surveillance, enduring psychological and physical torment.
One month later, her family used the photo she had sent earlier to trace her location. A Korean expat who had lived in Cambodia for over 20 years recognized the scenery and collaborated with local authorities to raid the building. Kim was rescued just in time.
Upon returning to South Korea, Kim learned that the man who had picked her up at the airport had sold her to a criminal syndicate for 5 million won (approximately $3,500 USD).
On October 19, Korean reporters visiting the building where Kim was once held noted that Chinese security guards were still patrolling the area. A local driver whispered, “They’ve spotted us. Don’t get out. This area is still controlled by Chinese gangs.”
While most Korean nationals involved in Southeast Asian scams are men, women like Kim are not rare. Jung Min Su (alias), a 30-year-old Korean man who was kidnapped by a romance scam syndicate, recalled, “In my group of about 150 captives, around five were women. They were forced to act, make scripted calls, and lure victims.”
Earlier on October 7, another South Korean woman was found dead near the Cambodia-Vietnam border.
As of August 2025, over 330 cases involving South Korean citizens primarily related to trafficking and scams have been reported in Southeast Asia. In response, the South Korean government has issued a Level 4 “black” travel warning, the highest alert level, for certain regions in Cambodia.
Sources: Znews
You must be logged in to post a comment.