The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed that the safety of approximately 80 South Koreans who traveled to Cambodia has not yet been confirmed.

According to a ministry official, the number of South Koreans reported as unreachable or detained after entering Cambodia has been rising. There were 220 such cases reported last year, and that number has already climbed to 330 in the first eight months of this year alone. Of this total, 470 individuals have since been confirmed not to be in confinement.

This leaves about 80 individuals from this year's cases whose status remains unverified. It is believed that this group includes not only victims of kidnapping or confinement but also individuals who have intentionally severed contact after becoming involved in local criminal activities.

Separately, the police reported receiving 143 cases of missing persons or confinement in Cambodia since last year and are still investigating 52 of them. The Foreign Ministry is currently cross-referencing its data with the police cases to check for overlaps.

The Ministry also added that around 60 South Koreans, who were arrested by Cambodian police at the scene of "online scam" operations, are refusing to return to their home country. "We are cooperating closely with our police authorities to ensure their swift repatriation," the ministry stated.

Currently, a Special Travel Advisory is in effect for parts of Cambodia, including the capital, Phnom Penh. The South Korean government is considering raising the travel alert to a higher level.