PHNOM PENH, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian and South Korean police on Wednesday agreed to expand their cooperation on combating transnational drug-related offences and illegal gambling in addition to the fight against online scams, said a joint press release.
The agreement was made during a meeting held in Seoul between Yoo Jae-seong, acting commissioner of the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), and Sar Thet, commissioner of the Cambodian National Police (CNP), said the press release issued by the CNP.
Both police chiefs highly valued the achievements of the Cambodia-Korea Joint Task Force for Koreans (CKJTFK), the press release said, adding that during four months of active operations from December last year to March this year, the CKJTFK successfully arrested 166 major criminals, including South Korean fugitives hiding in Cambodia, and rescued five South Korean nationals from confinement.
"Based on these exceptional results, the leaders of both police forces reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating transnational crime by agreeing to expand CKJTFK's cooperation," the press release said.
"Previously limited to online scam-related crimes, the scope will now include drug-related offences and illegal gambling," it added.
The press release said this expansion is considered a proactive measure likely to facilitate real-time information sharing and joint investigative operations, in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country, to respond to criminal syndicates expanding their strategic hubs in Southeast Asia. ■
