Cambodia Courts Korean Tourists and Capital Amid Security Crackdown

PHNOM PENH, Sept 9, 2026 (KPT) — A South Korean business delegation pledged Tuesday to promote Cambodia as a safe destination for tourists and investors, citing a government crackdown on online scam operations that have drawn international scrutiny. Mun Yong‑Jo, president of the Seoul‑based International Interchange Development Association (IIDA), made the commitment during talks with Tourism Minister Huot Hak in Phnom Penh, according to a ministry statement. Mun, who led a delegation of South Korean corporate executives, said he would highlight Cambodia’s political stability and improved security to business leaders and the public in South Korea, pointing to the impact of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s directive to dismantle scam compounds. Cambodia has faced repeated criticism over criminal networks that trafficked foreign workers — including South Koreans — into online fraud schemes. Phnom Penh has pledged tougher enforcement in response, with officials stressing that the country is now a “warm, hospitable and safe destination.” Hak told the delegation that tourism remains a priority sector under Hun Manet’s economic agenda, aimed at driving growth and raising living standards. He pointed to the “Visit Cambodia in the Green Season” campaign, launched with airlines and travel agencies to diversify markets and promote destinations beyond Angkor Wat. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation to boost Korean tourist arrivals and encourage direct investment from South Korean firms, though no figures or timelines were disclosed. IIDA describes itself as an organisation focused on international cooperation, cultural exchange and economic development. South Korea has long been a key source of visitors and investment in Cambodia, though numbers have fluctuated amid the scam‑center controversy and wider shifts in regional travel.