"Release the Koreans While I Am Asking Nicely": Controversy Over BJ Visiting Cambodia's 'Crime Complex'

Shouting "Release the Koreans" while broadcasting live
Viewers criticize it as "reckless behavior risking one's life"
Announces return to Korea on the 14th amid personal safety threats

As a series of kidnapping incidents targeting Koreans continues in Cambodia, controversy has arisen after a Korean internet broadcaster (BJ) visited the country and conducted a live broadcast from a high-risk area.

An internet broadcaster holding a solo protest at the Cambodian Original Site Complex. Online community

BJ A, who is active on the domestic streaming platform SOOP, hosted a broadcast on October 12 titled "Cambodia, Crime Complex - The Reality of the Original Site Complex." In front of the Original Site Complex on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, he held a solo protest, shouting slogans such as "Release them while you still can," "If you release only the Koreans, I will just go back," and "Release the victims of forced confinement."

While inspecting the inside of the complex, A reported, "It looks empty inside. It seems like they have escaped somewhere." He also described the scene, saying, "The wall is about 2 meters high with bricks, and there is a wire fence on top, making it about 3 meters in total."

During the broadcast, an unidentified vehicle emerged from the complex and was seen filming A with a mobile phone. When A asked, "What did you film?" the person inside the vehicle did not respond. Later, there was also a threatening scene where a guard dog was unleashed.

As the situation became increasingly tense, a representative from SOOP requested that the broadcast be stopped, citing potential threats to personal safety. The platform's notice stated, "It has been confirmed that locals are taking photos of A. As this issue is gaining attention in Korea, we ask that you refrain from broadcasting not only at this location but also near other crime complexes."

A posted a message on the streaming platform's bulletin board after the broadcast. SOOP

After ending the broadcast, A posted on the SOOP bulletin board later that day, saying, "Many people are worried, so I am leaving an update," and "I am currently heading to my accommodation. I am being very cautious, so there is no need to worry." On the morning of October 14, A announced his return to Korea on his account, stating, "I have just arrived in Korea. I received intelligence that my personal information is being shared among members of Chinese gangs, and that there are related members here in Korea as well. I managed to shake off those following me and barely made it back safely."

A's broadcast drew attention, surpassing 20,000 real-time viewers. However, some viewers criticized the act as "reckless behavior that puts one's life at risk," "not valuing one's own life," and expressed concerns such as "I hope broadcasts that visit high-crime areas for views do not become a trend." They denounced it as "extreme content" aimed at earning virtual gifts.

Meanwhile, concerns about crimes targeting Koreans in Cambodia have been growing after a recent case in which a Korean university student in his 20s was found dead following kidnapping and torture. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were 330 reported cases of Korean kidnappings in Cambodia as of August this year, a sharp increase from 4 cases in 2021 and 220 cases in 2024.

As the number of victims has surged, the Korean National Police Agency has decided to establish a "Korean Desk" locally and dispatch an additional 30 international joint investigation personnel. This marks the third time Korean police have been directly dispatched to foreign law enforcement agencies, following the Philippines and Thailand.