Cambodian ban on marrying S Koreans

CAMBODIA yesterday banned marriages between local women and South Korean men over concerns about human trafficking.

The move came after a woman who lured 25 girls from rural areas, each of whom paid money to marry Koreans, was jailed for 10 years.

Government spokesman Koy Kuong said: "This act was trafficking of women and children."

Koy Kuong said the South Korean embassy in Phnom Penh had been notified on 5 March about the temporary ban. It was not known when the restriction would be lifted.

Cambodia is a hugely popular destination for South Korean tourists and investors.

South Korea is Cambodia's second-biggest source of foreign direct investment after China.

Bith Kimhong, head of the police's Anti-Human Trafficking Department, said that the convicted woman had charged $100 from every girl selected by South Korean men for marriage.

He said agents were banned from facilitating marriages, adding that the law required foreigners to first talk to the parents of their future spouses.