SEOUL, South Korea — A wave of cancellations and suspensions is sweeping across South Korea’s local governments, universities, and educational bodies, targeting scheduled volunteer and exchange programs in Cambodia. The decisive action follows a recent surge in severe crimes—including job scams, forced confinement, and other violent acts—targeting South Koreans in the Southeast Asian nation, prompting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a Special Travel Advisory for areas including the capital, Phnom Penh.

Nationwide Halt on Overseas Programs 

The safety alert has triggered immediate responses across the country, affecting numerous long-planned initiatives.

Jecheon City’s Saemaul Undong organization, which has historically conducted annual volunteer activities in Cambodia, announced the cancellation of its November mission. The organization’s secretary, Seo Yeong-nam, expressed regret, noting the extensive planning for the trip, which involved over 20 volunteers intending to work at local schools.

Provincial governments have also taken drastic measures. Gyeonggi Province, for example, ordered the immediate recall of its "Gyeonggi Youth Climate Envoy Group," consisting of 34 members currently deployed in Cambodia. The envoys are scheduled to complete their early return procedures before October 20. Similarly, Suwon City has decided not to dispatch a planned volunteer corps to its sister city, Siem Reap. Incheon City also halted recruitment for its "2025 Incheon Youth Global Medical Volunteer Group," which was slated to operate in Kampot Province.

Universities and Schools Seek Alternatives 

The educational sector is equally affected. The Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education suspended recruitment for its "Global Exploration Future Life Cambodia Volunteer Program," intended for over 30 high school students next January.

Universities are moving to secure alternative destinations for their winter programs. Keimyung University is actively considering changing the location of its upcoming winter overseas volunteer activities away from Cambodia. Likewise, Kangwon National University's alumni association plans to reroute its December exploration of Angkor Wat to a different country.

In parallel with program cancellations, local governments are initiating public safety campaigns. An official from Chungcheongbuk Province, Oh Jin-eun, confirmed that advisory notices concerning overseas employment fraud have been dispatched to 18 universities within the province, targeting students susceptible to job-related scams abroad.

These widespread cancellations reflect a consensus among South Korean institutions that the escalating safety risks for their citizens in Cambodia outweigh the benefits of proceeding with scheduled engagement and exchange efforts. The focus has now shifted to ensuring the immediate safety of currently dispatched personnel and raising awareness to prevent further victimization.