In recent years, not only Taiwan but also South Korea has seen cases of human trafficking to Southeast Asia. A South Korean woman in her 30s, identified as Kim Min-ho (pseudonym), applied last year (2024) for a “Japanese translator” job in Cambodia, only to be trapped and forced into working as an adult livestream performer. Fortunately, she was eventually rescued, but investigations revealed that she had been sold to a Cambodian criminal organization by a South Korean actor and model for around 5 million KRW (approximately NT$120,000 / RM17,500).
According to South Korean media Dong-A Ilbo, in April last year, Kim applied online for a Japanese translator role, with the job location in Cambodia. Upon arriving in the capital, Phnom Penh, a well-dressed man claiming to be a local Korean resident greeted her. The man, who was also an actor and model, introduced the translator job as an easy assignment and then drove her about four hours to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, three strangers broke into Kim’s residence, confiscated her phone and passport, and locked her in a room.
Kim was forced to perform adult livestreams, stripping on camera and begging viewers for tips. She was given “performance targets” posted on the room’s wall, and failing to meet them resulted in verbal abuse and physical punishment. During her captivity, she could often hear screams from neighboring rooms. To survive, she complied and streamed as instructed.
A month later, Kim’s family noticed a check-in photo she sent from Cambodia and enlisted the help of a local Korean resident who had lived there for years. Together with Cambodian police, a rescue team raided the location and successfully freed her. Upon returning to South Korea, Kim learned that the man who initially met her had accepted payment and personally sold her to the criminal group.
Authorities note that Sihanoukville still has security personnel reportedly linked to Chinese criminal organizations. Although the Chinese government has collaborated with Cambodian police since 2019 to combat such crimes, hundreds of suspects were still arrested and deported last year. In response, South Korea plans to enhance protection for its citizens abroad. On 20 October, police announced the creation of a “24-hour police hotline” with Cambodian authorities, though the establishment of a formal “Korean service desk” remains unresolved.
