Phnom Penh (FN), Jul. 30 – Cambodian Senate President, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his support for the implementation of the New Village Movement (Saemaul Undong), a renowned rural development initiative of former President Park Chung Hee, to promote agricultural development in Cambodia. This initiative is currently being implemented in Kampong Speu province.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen received a courtesy call by Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Lee Cheol-woo on 29 July 2024 at the Senate.

During the meeting, Lee Cheol-woo underlined Korea's success in agricultural and rural development through the New Village Movement (Saemaul Undong), a popular initiative by former President Park Chung Hee that significantly boosted the GDP. He noted that the Korean people have greatly benefited from these reforms.

Lee Cheol-woo informed Samdech Techo Hun Sen that in 1961, the GDP per capita in South Korea was only USD 60. However, following reforms in agriculture, industrialisation, and education under the leadership of President Park Chung Hee and the Saemaul Undong strategy, Korea experienced rapid economic growth.

In this spirit, the governor believes that the continued establishment of universities to teach the principles of the New Village Movement and the development of the processing industry in Cambodia, in cooperation with Gyeongsangbuk-do, will promote development in both Cambodia and Korea.

Lee Cheol-woo also underscored that despite Korea's significant development with a strong focus on agro-industry, the country remains concerned about food insecurity. He underlined the importance of boosting agricultural productivity and processing to address this issue. He believes that cooperation between Korea and Cambodia in agricultural production and food processing will be mutually beneficial.

For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed strong support and satisfaction with the cooperation in implementing the New Village Movement (Saemaul Undong) program for Korea's agriculture and rural areas.

Samdech Techo underlined that the New Village Movement project is suitable for Cambodia because, during his visit to Korea in 1996, he observed that the agricultural conditions in Korea and Cambodia were similar, particularly in the areas of canal digging and water pumping.

Samdech Techo expressed support for the reforms in agriculture and industrialisation to boost the growth of industry and services while reducing dependence on agriculture, which he identified as indicators of economic growth and improved livelihoods.

On the occasion, Samdech Techo further added that Cambodia and Korea have valuable lessons to learn from each other, as Korea has faced challenges similar to those of Cambodia, especially in the post-Korean War era.

Gyeongsangbuk-do is the largest province in Korea and has significant potential in the fields of industry, agriculture, and culture. Governor Lee Cheol-woo is committed to promoting cooperation with Cambodia in the fields of industry, agriculture, medicine, culture, and tourism.
=FRESH NEWS