"The president is very interested in taking care of the issue himself," National Security Office chief Wi Sung-rak said on the 15th regarding the recent employment fraud and imprisonment of South Koreans in Cambodia. "There is a possibility that (the president) will handle the issue himself." President Lee Jae-myung may speed up the resolution of the problem through communication with the Cambodian leaders.
At a press conference held at the presidential office in Yongsan later in the day, Chief Wi said, "(The president) also gave direct orders several times." However, he said, "I did not say it with a specific plan in mind, but in principle, there is a possibility that it will play a role in advancing and pushing the issue at the normal level."
"We recently reached an agreement with Cambodia on a joint autopsy," Wi said. "We believe that a joint autopsy will be conducted in the near future and that domestic transportation will be possible." He also said, "The priority is for the repatriation of about 60 suspected criminals of our nationality who were arrested by Cambodia in July and September." "The goal is to repatriate them within a few days or even within this week." After being repatriated to Korea, they will be subject to judicial measures according to the degree of criminal ties.
"Cooperation with Cambodia is the key to resolving the issue," Wi said. "If we get caught up in sensationalism and sell (Cambodia), it can be an obstacle to getting the cooperation we want." Wi said, "There is a big concern about damage to Korean residents living in Cambodia. Most of the business is aimed at Korean tourists, so it is related to livelihood," and added, "The media also asked the public to cooperate so that they do not have excessive antipathy toward the entire Cambodian country while being alert."
Reporter Ko Kyung-ju: [email protected]
"This administration is truly unmatched in how swiftly it handles urgent matters.
Yet there are still people posting comments like a paid comment squad—I honestly can't understand them.
Have they already forgotten Yoon the tyrant, who did nothing in times of crisis except stage political shows at fire scenes and mutter empty phrases like 'handle it well'?
Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak were no different.
Their only concern was lining their own pockets.
How long will they keep blaming everything on Chinese people, as if that makes any sense?
They've probably erased from memory the image of Park Geun-hye standing next to Xi Jinping at the Victory Day military parade.
It's people like you who are still ruining this country."