Amid a series of kidnapping cases targeting Koreans in Cambodia, a domestic internet broadcaster (BJ) has sparked controversy by traveling to the country and conducting a live broadcast from a high-risk area.

BJ A, an internet broadcaster active on the domestic streaming platform SOOP, aired a broadcast on October 12 titled "Cambodia, Crime Complex - The Reality of Yuanqu Complex." In front of the Yuanqu Complex on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, he held a solo protest, chanting slogans such as "Let them go while I’m asking nicely," "If you release only the Koreans, I’ll just leave," and "Release the victims of forced confinement."

While inspecting the complex, A reported, "It looks empty inside. It seems they’ve escaped somewhere." He also described, "The wall is about two meters high and made of bricks, and there’s a wire fence on top, making it about three meters in total."

During the broadcast, an unidentified vehicle was seen exiting the complex and filming A with a mobile phone. When A confronted them, asking, "What did you record?" the person in the vehicle did not respond. Later, there was also a threatening scene where a guard dog was unleashed from its leash.

As the situation became increasingly tense, a SOOP platform representative requested that the broadcast be stopped, citing potential threats to A’s personal safety. The platform’s notice stated, "We have confirmed that locals are taking photos of A. Given the issue’s prominence in Korea, we ask that you refrain from broadcasting from this location or any areas near crime complexes."

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

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After ending the broadcast, A posted on the SOOP bulletin board later that day, saying, "I’m leaving an update because many are worried," and "I’m currently heading back to my accommodation. I’m staying alert, so there’s no need to worry." On the morning of October 14, A announced his return to Korea on his account, stating, "I just arrived in Korea. I received intelligence that my personal information was being shared among Chinese gang members and that related members are present in Korea as well. I managed to shake off any followers and barely made it back to safety."

A’s broadcast drew more than 20,000 live viewers and garnered significant attention, but some viewers criticized it as "reckless behavior that puts one’s life at risk," "not valuing one’s life," and expressed concern that "broadcasting from high-crime areas for views should not become a trend." They condemned it as "extreme content" aimed at earning virtual gifts.

Meanwhile, concerns over crimes targeting Koreans in Cambodia are mounting following a recent case in which a Korean university student in his twenties was found dead after being kidnapped and tortured. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were 330 reported cases of Koreans being kidnapped in Cambodia as of August this year, a sharp increase from 4 cases in 2021 and 220 cases in 2024.

Three Chinese Nationals Indicted by Cambodian Prosecutors for Murdering a Korean University Student

Cambodian authorities' joint task force, engaged in a crackdown on online scam criminal organizations, revealed the Chinese nationals arrested during an operation conducted in Kampot Province last August, according to the Cambodian state-run AKP News Agency. These three Chinese individuals have been prosecuted on murder charges by local prosecutors investigating the case of a Korean university student who died after being tortured in Cambodia last August.

Yonhap News

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As the number of victims surged, the National Police Agency 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 overseas law enforcement agencies, following the Philippines and Thailand.