A group of 59 South Koreans detained in Cambodia for alleged involvement in online scams have been repatriated in handcuffs.<\/p>\n
The group arrived at Incheon Airport on Saturday morning, several days after South Korea sent a team to Cambodia to discuss scam centre kidnappings of its nationals.<\/p>\n
They are among around 200,000 people estimated by the UN to have been drawn into scamming schemes across Southeast Asia, some lured by the appeal of well-paying jobs and others forced to participate. <\/p>\n
Officials made the journey to Cambodia following reports that a South Korean student involved in a scamming scheme had allegedly died after being tortured, according to Reuters news agency.<\/p>\n
Another five South Koreans have also been deported for other criminal offences.<\/p>\n
The majority of the group were arrested during a crackdown by Cambodian authorities, while five reportedly turned themselves in and escaped the network, BBC Korea has reported.<\/p>\n
From the airport, they will now be taken to the relevant police stations for investigation.<\/p>\n
The individuals were arrested on board the chartered flight shortly after boarding, the official said, according to Agence France-Presse.<\/p>\n
Under South Korean law, a national carrier’s aircraft is considered Korean territory, allowing law enforcement to execute arrest warrants.<\/p>\n
South Korean National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac had said that the members of the repatriated group had both “voluntary and involuntary” involvement in the scams. <\/p>\n
“Most of them should be regarded as having committed criminal acts, Wi said.<\/p>\n
Their return has taken place alongside high-level diplomacy over cyber crime.<\/p>\n