South Korean authorities are seeking the arrest of 58 out of 64 nationals recently repatriated from Cambodia, where they allegedly worked for online scam organizations. The individuals were detained in Cambodia over several months and brought back to South Korea on a charter flight, where police are investigating whether they participated in scams voluntarily or were coerced. Some of the returnees reported being beaten and forced to work in scam centers. The rise of online scams in Southeast Asia has led to calls for stronger action from the South Korean government, especially after a recent case involving the death of a South Korean national in Cambodia. Authorities estimate that around 1,000 South Koreans are currently in scam centers in Cambodia, and efforts are underway to address the issue in cooperation with Cambodian officials.

International agencies estimate that hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked into scam centers across Southeast Asia, with new centers emerging in other regions. The courts in South Korea are expected to decide soon on the arrest warrants for the suspects, while investigations continue into the circumstances of their involvement.