South Korean president thanks Kazakhstan for cooperation in detaining criminal group

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung issued an official statement on X, thanking Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee (KNB) for their prompt cooperation in the detention and extradition of members of an organized crime group.

Members of the Korean organized crime group were involved in voice phishing, a form of telephone fraud targeting citizens of their home country. They tried to evade justice by traveling through Cambodia and Vietnam but were eventually located and detained in Kazakhstan.

Extradition in two weeks

The South Korean president noted that thanks to the coordinated efforts of Kazakh and South Korean law enforcement agencies, the entire process — from identifying the suspects to returning them to South Korea — was completed in record time.

«Korean members of an organized crime group that had entered Kazakhstan via Cambodia and Vietnam to carry out voice phishing targeting South Korean citizens were apprehended on site. All of them were returned to South Korea within two weeks and are now under police investigation,» Lee said.

He also emphasized that such a rapid operation was possible only thanks to the personal support of Kazakhstan’s president and the effective work of the KNB.

In addition, the South Korean leader expressed hope of meeting President Tokayev in person at the upcoming international event.

«I extend my deepest gratitude to President Tokayev and the relevant authorities. I look forward to meeting you in person and exchanging greetings at the Korea-Central Asia summit next month,» Lee said.

The South Korean president concluded his statement by reiterating Seoul’s firm stance against any threats to the safety of its citizens.