Cambodia and South Korea Forge a United Front Against Cybercrime

Against a backdrop of an alarming surge in online scams and transnational organized crime, Cambodia and South Korea have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening police cooperation during a pivotal meeting at the Ministry of Interior.

Strategic Meeting Between Security Leaders

Last Tuesday, His Excellency Abhisantibindit Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Cambodia’s Minister of Interior, welcomed His Excellency Kim Chang Yong, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom. Held in the heart of Phnom Penh, the meeting outlined an ambitious roadmap for security cooperation, centered on enhancing the technical capabilities of law enforcement agencies. Immediate priorities include strengthening crime scene investigation techniques, improving the collection and analysis of digital evidence, and sharing advanced methodologies to track criminal networks operating through online platforms. Study visits for senior officials and specialized units are scheduled to begin this year, facilitating the exchange of regional best practices in public security.

Ambassador Kim solemnly reaffirmed Seoul’s commitment to supporting the Cambodian National Police through comprehensive training programs. South Korea stands ready to host Cambodian delegations for hands-on immersion in cutting-edge security operations and modern policing techniques, including the use of artificial intelligence for fraud detection. These exchanges aim not only to equip Cambodian forces with high-tech tools, but also to foster greater interoperability in the face of hybrid threats.

Positive Assessment of the Cambodia–Korea Partnership

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha praised the notable progress achieved through this bilateral cooperation, highlighted by the establishment in November 2025 of the Cambodia–Korea Joint Task Force following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Prime Minister Hun Manet and South Korean authorities. “This collaboration has produced significant results in preventing and suppressing transnational crime,” the Cambodian official stated, citing the successful dismantling of technologically advanced fraud schemes and cybercrime rings involving foreign suspects. Recent operations—such as the expulsion of 64 South Korean nationals in October 2025 and the arrest of 32 others on January 5, 2026—underscore the effectiveness of this joint task force.

This mechanism has also enhanced the security of the Korean community in Cambodia through the “Task Force for Korean Citizens,” exceeding expectations in terms of legal protection and public order. Discussions underscored a shared interest in stability not only at the national level, but across ASEAN as a whole, where criminal flows disregard borders.

Cutting-Edge Cambodian National Initiatives

Cambodia is not relying solely on bilateral partnerships; it has deployed a full array of national initiatives to eradicate cybercrime. In September 2025, Prime Minister Hun Manet oversaw the creation of the Special Interministerial Commission for the Suppression of Online Scams—a powerful body composed of six specialized working groups: investigation, information technology, international cooperation, financial analysis, training, and field operations. This commission coordinates efforts across multiple ministries, leading to large-scale raids such as the dismantling of a compound in Poipet that housed 230 foreign nationals involved in international phone scam operations.

As early as July 2025, the Phnom Penh administration launched an Anti-Scam Special Task Force, rapidly expanded to border provinces such as Sihanoukville and Bavet—areas notoriously vulnerable to online casinos and fraudulent call centers. These units have seized high-tech equipment and carried out thousands of arrests, while simultaneously strengthening digital forensics capabilities within the national police. In parallel, the government is investing in the creation of a national cybercrime task force, supported by continuous training programs in cryptography and big data analysis.

ASEAN Regional Momentum and Expanded Partnerships

At the regional level, Cambodia is actively engaged in the ASEAN Action Plan on Cybersecurity Cooperation (2026–2035), which promotes the sharing of artificial intelligence tools and joint exercises to counter cyber threats. In 2025, the proposal of an ASEAN Cybercrime Task Force aimed to establish a unified information-sharing platform among the bloc’s ten member states. Phnom Penh has signed specific memoranda of understanding with Singapore (July 2025) to combat cybercrime and human trafficking, as well as with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand to strengthen border patrols. Trilateral coordination with Laos, Vietnam, and Malaysia further complements this network, while China provides technical support through training in digital surveillance.

On the international stage, Interpol supports Cambodia through the C3DP project (Cyber Capabilities & Capacity Development Project), offering training modules on digital evidence collection and simulations of multinational operations. According to official reports, these initiatives contributed to a 40% increase in cyber fraud convictions in 2025.

Toward a United and Sustainable Front

The two parties concluded their meeting with a firm commitment to accelerate pending projects and joint operational plans, ensuring a proactive response to evolving threats such as deepfakes and ransomware. This bilateral synergy—bolstered by national and regional efforts—positions Cambodia as a key pillar in the fight against cybercrime in Southeast Asia. As Prime Minister Hun Manet has described this battle as a “national priority task,” hopes for a safer ASEAN rest on such strong alliances, protecting citizens and economies from an invisible and ever-present enemy.