CreatripTeam

Recent incidents of Korean nationals being kidnapped, detained or harmed—particularly in Cambodia—have raised public fears about safety while traveling in Southeast Asia. Government data show Cambodia had the highest number of kidnapping/detention cases involving Koreans (221 in 2024), while Vietnam topped missing-person reports (195). Other common issues: theft and loss are frequent in Western tourist countries, violent crimes including murder occurred most in the U.S. last year, and employment‑scam detentions (lured by high‑pay job offers) are concentrated in Cambodia but also reported in Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Experts say some hotspots (like scam centers) exist, but the overall regional security has not sharply worsened; excessive fear is not helpful. Travelers should check Korea’s travel advisories and local embassy guidance (e.g., travel warning levels 1–4 and “special travel advisories”), avoid suspicious high‑pay job offers, and follow embassy safety notices. (scam center: organized crime sites that lure victims into fraud and detention)