▲ President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a meeting with senior aides at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Jan. 22, 2026. (Yonhap)

Lee-senior aides

Lee orders stern measures against transnational crimes targeting nationals

By Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday instructed senior aides to take stern measures against transnational crimes targeting South Korean nationals, vowing to safeguard the safety of people against online scam rings at home and abroad.

Lee made the remarks during a meeting with his senior aides as 73 South Korean nationals detained in Cambodia over alleged scam crimes are set to be brought home Friday for investigation.

The suspects are accused of swindling 48.6 billion won (US$33.1 million) from 869 South Korean victims through fake romance, investment and other illegal schemes, according to Cheong Wa Dae.

"Transnational crimes not only destroy individual lives and undermine trust within our society but can also cause diplomatic friction. They are highly malicious and threatening crimes," Lee said.

"Measures should be taken to clearly demonstrate that transnational crimes that threaten public safety and undermine people's livelihoods will be punished without exception, whether committed at home or abroad," he added.

Lee called on authorities to ensure that crimes targeting South Korean nationals result in consequences that clearly outweigh any potential gains and urged close cooperation with foreign countries to confiscate criminal proceeds concealed overseas.

He also called for government support for businesses to minimize confusion and unintended side effects stemming from the full implementation of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Basic Act, which took effect earlier in the day.

"AI has already emerged as a key driving force that is fundamentally reshaping society and our daily lives beyond the economic sphere, which requires policy support and efforts to proactively manage foreseeable side effects," he said.

Lee stressed the need for comprehensive support for venture firms and startups to help them adapt to the new system without stifling innovation, and called for policy implementation in a "reasonable and transparent" manner.

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