▲ A South Korean government response team, led by Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina (3rd from L) and Park Sung-joo (2nd from R), head of the National Office of Investigation under the National Police Agency, inspects an online scam complex near Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Oct. 16, 2025. (Yonhap)

response team-Cambodia

Talks still under way on plan to repatriate 59 S. Koreans detained in Cambodia: Seoul

PHNOM PENH, Oct. 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is still in talks with Cambodia to finalize plans to repatriate 59 nationals detained over online job scams, a joint response team said Friday, after Cambodian police announced they would be deported this week.

The response team, currently in Phnom Penh to address the crime targeting South Korean citizens, said in a message to the media that talks were still ongoing with Cambodian officials to finalize details of the repatriation plan, apparently dismissing Cambodia's earlier announcement.

"We have some technical and administrative issues to work out," the team said. "It is difficult to announce the schedule of their departure at this stage."

Cambodian police said Thursday the 59 Koreans in custody will be deported to South Korea on Friday. The individuals include those who were rescued from online scam operations or arrested for suspected involvement in the crime.

"The two sides are working closely to ensure an early repatriation (of the Koreans)," the team added.

Four South Koreans out of 63 detained were sent back home by plane earlier this week.

Seoul said earlier it aims to bring the detained people back home by the end of this week.

Senior Superintendent General Park Sung-joo, head of the National Office of Investigation, was set to meet with Cambodia's police chief to discuss the online scams later in the day. Second Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jina is scheduled to meet with the Cambodian interior minister.

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