THAILAND – South Korean officials reported that at least 11 of their citizens were abducted in Thailand between 2022 and September 2025, a sudden rise that has raised alarm in Seoul and prompted calls for tougher cross-border cooperation.
Sharp increase in reported kidnappings
South Korea’s foreign ministry provided figures to opposition lawmaker Kim Geon of the People Power Party showing the number of reported abductions climbed from zero in 2022 to one in 2023, five in 2024 and five more so far in 2025. The data, published in the Korea Economic Daily, totalled 11 confirmed cases over the three-year period.
The trend has unsettled officials because Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for South Korean travellers. In 2024, 1.86 million South Koreans visited Thailand, making them the country’s fourth-largest tourist group after visitors from China, Malaysia and India.
Violent cases and criminal networks
One of the most brutal incidents occurred in 2024 when a 34-year-old South Korean tourist was abducted and murdered in Thailand. Authorities said three South Korean suspects were later arrested in South Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia in connection with that killing.
Thai police also dismantled a criminal group in July 2024 in Chon Buri province. Authorities arrested 20 South Korean nationals and one Chinese national in the raid and freed a South Korean man who had been kidnapped and forced to work in a call-centre fraud operation.
Calls for stronger regional action
Lawmaker Kim warned that the rise in incidents demanded a coordinated response. “The government must build a cooperation system not only with Cambodia, but also with Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries to protect our citizens,” he said, urging Seoul to step up efforts to monitor illegal job advertisements that entice victims to travel abroad.
Seoul has faced growing pressure to introduce measures that protect its nationals overseas, particularly as reports emerged of a South Korean student who was allegedly tortured and killed in Cambodia, which intensified public concern.
Thai response and unresolved questions
Thai authorities have acknowledged the problem and said they are cooperating with South Korean counterparts. The Chon Buri operation was cited as evidence that police were actively targeting organised rings operating in the kingdom.
But officials on both sides are still probing the motives and structure behind the cases: whether the incidents reflect organised criminal syndicates, targeted extortion schemes, or trafficking facilitated by misleading job offers.
Tourism risks and diplomatic pressure
The surge in abductions has potential implications for tourism if perceptions of safety deteriorate. South Korean officials and travel industry representatives said they were closely watching developments and urged vigilance among travellers.
With investigations ongoing, Seoul and Bangkok face pressure to strengthen intelligence-sharing, tighten enforcement of illegal recruitment and fraud networks, and reassure citizens that measures are in place to prevent further attacks. The Nation reported the original details of the developments.