Remains of late Korean student tortured to death in Cambodia returned to family

A vehicle carrying Korean investigators leaves a temple in Phnom Penh, where an autopsy on the body of a late Korean student killed in Cambodia took place, Monday. Yonhap

The remains of a late Korean university student allegedly tortured to death by a criminal organization in Cambodia were returned to his bereaved family Tuesday, 74 days after he was found dead in the Southeast Asian country.

The cremated remains of the 20-something student, surnamed Park, were delivered to his family at the Gyeongbuk Province Police Agency in the southeastern city of Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, after arriving in the country earlier in the day aboard a Korean Air flight.

The family plans to hold a memorial before burying the remains.

Park, who was lured into Cambodia by a criminal ring, was found dead in August near Bokor Mountain, where employment scams and detentions targeting Koreans have happened, less than a month after leaving for the country.

His death triggered public outcry in Korea, prompting the government to send a delegation to Cambodia last week to address sprawling crimes against its citizens.

The repatriation of the remains took place a day after Korean and Cambodian officials conducted a joint autopsy on Park's body, which was cremated afterward.

The exact cause of his death will be determined after further analysis, including drug and toxin tests, according to Korean police.

Park left for the Southeast Asian country on July 17, telling his family that he was attending an exhibition there. He was found dead inside a car on Aug. 8, with signs of torture on his body, according to local police.

The student's remains will be delivered to his bereaved family members, who were not present at the airport.

Earlier this month, Cambodian prosecutors indicted three Chinese nationals on charges of killing the student, according to local media.

A key suspect accused of luring the student into opening a bank account before arranging his travel to Cambodia was placed under arrest in Korea on Sunday.