South Korea is fighting determinedly against international scammer networks!

South Korea is fighting determinedly against international scammer networks!

In October 2025, the South Korean government under President Lee Jae-myung launched a radical operation to crack down on criminal networks in Cambodia that are trapping hundreds of South Korean citizens in online fraud centers. Acute reports of torture and fatal ill-treatment of victims are causing growing concern among the South Korean population. In this context, a Code Black level travel restriction was imposed to meet the “national security mission”. The South Korean government has deployed intelligence and special forces to address these challenges alongside the Cambodian government, reports Thai Publica.

However, the scammer problem extends far beyond Cambodia and is deeply rooted in Thailand. There is a widespread network here that exploits technology and political influence and undermines national security from within. Citizens are experiencing a “moral security crisis” in which their trust in the state is visibly dwindling. Therefore, the introduction of a “Principled Governance Framework” is urgently required to combat the serious moral decay in the government apparatus.

Urgent need for reform

When it comes to combating these criminal activities, several important measures come to the table. This includes the establishment of a Moral Intelligence Center (MIC), which is intended to monitor illegal financial flows and officials. A Digital Border Taskforce is also being planned to work together with neighboring countries to combat money laundering and fraud centers. A National Trust Index is also intended to measure citizens' trust in the state and thus serve as a control instrument, as the reports from Thai Publica substantiate. One thing is clear: moral leadership is crucial if citizens' trust is to be restored, because real change is the responsibility of our leaders.

The challenges created by endemic corruption in Thailand are serious. The 2024 Corruption Perception Index shows that Thailand ranks 107th out of 180 countries with just 34 points. Despite the political rhetoric on fighting corruption and the military junta's move to make fighting corruption a priority, the situation has not improved so far. Rather, junta officials also engage in corrupt practices, and massive corruption and nepotism are commonplace, as is the case Wikipedia summarizes.

The mood in the ASEAN region

The problems in Thailand are not reflected in isolation; the entire ASEAN region is facing a crisis in moral governance. Indonesia is currently a hotspot for social unrest that points to similarly serious failings in governance. Massive corruption and repressive behavior by officials are causing discontent among the population, not only in Indonesia, but also in the Philippines and Thailand. A survey by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute found that 43.4 percent of ASEAN residents see social inequality as the biggest problem. It is becoming increasingly clear that creative solutions and deep reforms are necessary to stabilize the internal situation in these countries, not only out of self-interest, but also to remain relevant on the international stage.

The future of ASEAN hangs in the balance - possibilities range from fundamental transformation through moral reform to division due to internal conflict. In this context, political parties that wage a determined fight against the scammer problem could win the trust of citizens and restore the honor of the state, which could prove crucial to the stability of the region.

Ultimately, the fight against scammers and corruption is seen not just as a financial or security policy battle, but as a “moral war” that requires courage and determination. This is the only way the state can maintain its integrity and regain the trust of its citizens.