FM announces sweeping reforms in consular services amid Cambodian crime ring crisis

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said Monday that his ministry will undertake sweeping reforms in consular services, including adding 40 specialized personnel, amid a growing crisis involving Koreans trapped by scam syndicates in Cambodia. The ministry also plans to launch an early warning system across Southeast Asia to better assist Koreans affected by crimes or other emergencies. "We plan to request an additional 40 consular staffers, significantly increasing our presence in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries," Cho said during a press briefing, stressing the need for extraordinary measures to better protect Koreans abroad. He added that the deployment of additional personnel will be coordinated with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, though an exact timeline has yet to be finalized. Not all 40 staffers will be assigned overseas, he said, noting that some will remain at headquarters to support operations. Cho also said the ministry will launch an early warning system in high-risk areas, using existing resources such as a 24/7 consular call center and overseas missions. "PreviouWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times