South Korean student kidnapped, tortured to death on holiday in Cambodia

A 22-year-old South Korean college student who travelled to Cambodia during the summer holiday was found dead two weeks after his departure, reportedly after being kidnapped and tortured by a local crime group. Authorities said the student died of cardiac arrest caused by severe torture.

According to police and family members, the student, identified only by his surname A, left his home in Yecheon, North Gyeongsang province on July 17, telling his family he was going to attend an exhibition in Cambodia.

About a week later, his family received a phone call from a man speaking with a Chinese Korean accent, saying, “A caused trouble here and has been detained. Send 50 million won (US$35,000) and we’ll release him.”

The family immediately contacted the Cambodian embassy and local police, but could not determine where he was being held. Communication with the kidnappers was cut off after four days.

Two weeks later, on August 8, A’s body was found near Bokor Mountain in Kampot province, where he had been held captive. The Cambodian embassy and local authorities confirmed that the cause of death was cardiac arrest resulting from torture and extreme pain.

Despite the confirmation, A’s body has not yet been returned to South Korea. Due to local autopsy and cremation procedures, repatriation is expected later this month.

  

​Read More