At times, the story ends before it ever begins: no beach photos taken, no temple tours done, no Angkor Wat selfies posted. Just a cancelled boarding pass and a refund. This is the case for many South Koreans in recent days after their government officially banned travel to Cambodia – and Korean Air, fresh off a successful year, decided to join in with full support.
The airline indicated that anyone flying from Korea to Cambodia can cancel their tickets without a penalty through the end of the calendar year. Yup, absolutely no penalty, because of an increased foreign (Cambodian) based, online scam networks that target Korean citizens.
Ok, let’s take a step back. Before this situation came to a head, Korean Air had been running direct flights from Incheon to Takhmao every day on their Airbus A330-300 with a capacity of 272. An easy connection for travelers seeking Southeast Asian warmth in January. Instead, it became a flight path that no one wants to board anymore.
As reported by the Korea Times, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has unequivocally stated that effective at midnight on Thursday, there are no-travel zones for South Koreans in Bavet, Poipet, and Mount Bokor in Kampot Province. This means if any Korean citizen is found traveling in these areas, they could be charged with a crime upon their return.
What happened to cause this? A real-life crime drama. A South Korean student was marked for evil by an ad for a fictitious company offering a high salary for a job in Cambodia. The student accepted the job, only to be caught in a fraudulent organization, and eventually died under questionable circumstances from alleged abuse by a group of criminals.
Since January, more than 330 South Koreans have reported missing or kidnapped in Cambodia, according to AFP. And with continuing rising numbers, the Korean government decided that it can take no chances.
Back to Korean Air. The company is not merely issuing refunds; it is implementing more safety checks and strengthening communication systems. The situation is notifying crews and staff in override to be extra mindful for risks. These are portions of a universal response for risk mitigation, not merely public relations.
It is interesting to note that just a few months ago, the Korea Tourism Organization displayed pride in the fact that over 106,000 South Koreans traveled to Cambodia in the first seven months of 2025 – 9% lower than the previous year, and a solid number. Nobody was predicting a total collapse of those numbers.
The bottom line? What began as a paradisiacal retreat ended with a government classified red alert. The skies are open, but the seats are empty – and for this specific occasion, free cancellation is not something to celebrate.
