At Incheon International Airport, a man in his twenties attempting to board a flight to Cambodia has reportedly been placed under preliminary investigation after failing to provide a clear reason for his travel.
On Friday, the Incheon Airport Police reported that officers intercepted the man, identified as A, from boarding a flight to Cambodia at a Terminal 2 departure gate at approximately 6:30 p.m. the previous evening.
During a security check, police asked A about his travel purpose, but he reportedly failed to give a clear answer, responding, “Why are you stopping me? I need to leave.”
Citing potential dangers in Cambodia, police prevented A’s departure and escorted him to the airport police unit’s office for further questioning about his travel intentions.
The incident has raised suspicions of a possible link to organized crime, particularly since a message appeared in a Telegram chat room known for recruiting fraudulent bank accounts. At 7:35 p.m. on Thursday, a message read, “Departure failed. Have to cancel two for tomorrow and one for Sunday.” Police explained that no criminal charges have been confirmed at this stage.
Despite persistent questioning, A has remained uncooperative and silent.
Earlier on Thursday, at around 7:00 p.m., police also stopped a man in his thirties from boarding a flight to Cambodia at Incheon Airport.
He reportedly told officers that he had recently quit his job and was on a break, and “a younger acquaintance” he met through Telegram had sent him the plane ticket.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a Level 4 “Travel Ban” for certain regions of Cambodia, effective from Thursday midnight. The advisory level for other areas has also been elevated.
Among the areas under special travel advisory, Bokor Mountain in Kampot Province, and the cities of Bavet and Poipet are now designated as “Travel Ban” zones.
Last August, a South Korean was found dead on Bokor Mountain. Bavet and Poipet are also known for their high concentration of criminal organizations.
