Bangladesh, Nov. 28 -- South Korea has taken an unprecedented step in its campaign against transnational crime by unveiling its first-ever autonomous sanctions targeting a sprawling criminal network allegedly linked to cyber-scamming, human trafficking, and large-scale financial fraud. The move, announced by Seoul on November 27, aligns closely with recent actions by the United States and the United Kingdom against the so-called “Prince Group Transnational Criminal Organization,” a Cambodia-based entity accused of running massive criminal operations across Southeast Asia.

In a rare joint statement, South Koreas foreign, justice and interior ministries declared that the sanctions represent “the countrys first independent...