The National Police Agency of South Korea and the Malaysian police force have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing cooperation to combat transnational crimes.

Following this agreement, it was signed in Seoul. The focus is anticipated to be on collaborative efforts to tackle online scams and other cross-border criminal activities.

Scope of Cooperation

Under the MOU, both agencies have pledged to expedite information sharing regarding transnational crimes, especially those involving scam operations based in Southeast Asia. The agreement also includes joint police operations such as the arrest and repatriation of fugitives linked to criminal networks that operate across borders.

The South Korean police chief invited Malaysia’s participation in a global cybercrime investigative body initiated by South Korea in October 2024. The Malaysian police chief agreed to explore potential cooperative measures against emerging digital crimes.

With the rise of cases involving the abduction and forced confinement of South Korean citizens in Cambodia, where individuals are linked to criminal organizations operating scam centers, South Korea seeks optimized responses from its law enforcement agencies. Recent investigations have led to the apprehension of 136 scam suspects in Cambodia since November last year.

This MOU is part of broader efforts by South Korean authorities to establish multilateral cooperation frameworks with Southeast Asian partners, given the increasing trend of transnational scam operations affecting multiple jurisdictions. The agreement provides a structured operational framework for coordination between both countries’ police forces on matters related to cybercrime and organized criminal networks operating across borders.