Phnom Penh (FN), Sep. 10 – Cambodian Senate President, Samdech Techo Hun Sen paid a courtesy call on Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea, on Tuesday (Sep. 10) at the National Assembly of South Korea.
Woo Won-shik warmly welcomed Samdech Techo Hun Sen and his delegation during their visit to the Republic of Korea, particularly to the National Assembly. He expressed his admiration for Samdech Techo's leadership, which has brought peace and prosperity to Cambodia over his long tenure as Prime Minister. He also congratulated Samdech Techo on his election as Senate President.
Woo Won-shik acknowledged Samdech Techo’s significant role in restoring and strengthening diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cambodia, which were reestablished in 1997. He expressed hope that both nations would continue enhancing their friendly relations and cooperation in various sectors.
The speaker also informed Samdech Techo that Cambodia has established the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Association between its Senate and National Assembly and the Parliament of South Korea. He warmly welcomed this development and noted that Korea would soon reciprocate with its own association.
Woo Won-shik underlined the increase in trade and investment between the two countries, noting the significant rise in bilateral trade volume. He credited the Free Trade Agreement for facilitating the entry of over 200 Korean companies into Cambodia. He urged Samdech Techo and the Royal Government of Cambodia to continue supporting and facilitating Korean investments to further expand these relations. Woo Won-shik also mentioned that South Korea is considering establishing a special economic zone for Korean companies, a proposal that was discussed during Prime Minister Hun Manet's recent visit.
He reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to providing Official Development Assistance (ODA) to support Cambodia’s growth and improve its people's livelihoods. He also emphasized the Korean Customs Organization’s involvement in demining projects and other development initiatives.
Woo Won-shik appreciated Cambodia’s efforts in contributing to global cooperation on climate change, particularly Cambodia’s greenhouse gas reduction projects and its role in the Mekong-Korea project, which South Korea supports.
Woo Won-shik was pleased to see the increase in people-to-people exchanges following the COVID19 pandemic, highlighting Cambodia’s natural beauty and historical treasures, especially Angkor Wat. He underscored efforts to facilitate the exemption of tourism services for Cambodians visiting Korea and hoped for an increase in reciprocal tourism.
Furthermore, Woo Won-shik assured Samdech Techo that the South Korean government is working to improve the conditions and protection of the approximately 60,000 Cambodians living in Korea by ensuring safe working conditions and providing proper support to these workers.
For his part, Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked the speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea for his warm welcome during his first visit as a legislative member. He also congratulated Woo Won-shik on his appointment as Speaker of the National Assembly and expressed his gratitude for the Speaker's support in further developing relations between the two countries.
Samdech Techo expressed his satisfaction with the elevation of Cambodia and the Republic of Korea’s relationship to a strategic partnership. He reminded those present that the re-establishment of relations between the two countries had not been easy, but that there has since been significant progress in both economic and political spheres.
As the key figure behind the restoration of diplomatic ties between Cambodia and South Korea, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed pride in his personal role in fostering this relationship. He also acknowledged the growth in all areas of cooperation between the two nations.
Taking the opportunity, Samdech Techo Hun Sen thanked the Republic of Korea for its ongoing contributions to Cambodia’s development. He also expressed his gratitude to South Korea for keeping its borders open to Cambodia during the COVID19 pandemic, allowing for the continued operation of flights, which facilitated the movement of Cambodians and foreigners in and out of the country.
Samdech Techo underlined that the decision not to close borders strengthened people-to-people ties, promoting mutual understanding between the two nations. He expressed hope that the opening of the new Siem Reap airport, along with the planned opening of a new airport in Phnom Penh next year, would further boost tourism between the countries.
He also extended his appreciation to South Korea for creating favourable working conditions for Cambodian workers. He added that these conditions allowed workers to acquire modern skills and technology, which they can use to create jobs and contribute to Cambodia’s economic development upon their return.
Samdech Techo noted the close relationship between the two countries, highlighting that around 8,000 Cambodian women have married Koreans, and that the lives of approximately 75,000 children are involved. He urged the Korean government to provide opportunities for these children to learn both Khmer and Korean, enabling them to communicate more effectively and contribute to the Korean economy.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also thanked South Korea for its support in training Cambodian athletes for the 2022 SEA Games, specifically underscoring the contribution of Korean snooker players. He added that some well-known Korean figures have become popular in Cambodia as well.
Samdech Techo expressed his appreciation for the growth in economic, trade, and investment relations between Cambodia and South Korea, and thanked the Korean government for encouraging more investors to invest in Cambodia. He noted that Cambodia is no longer just an importer, but is now capable of producing goods for export.
Samdech Techo reminded the audience of his discussions with former South Korean President Moon Jae-in, where they pushed for a free trade agreement. This agreement has since been signed by the new Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of Korea. He further underlined that this agreement would likely lead to the establishment of a special economic zone, creating further opportunities for Korean investors to process goods and export them to Korea.
Samdech Techo assured that the new Royal Government would work to protect Korean investors and ensure peace and stability for all foreign investors in Cambodia.
Samdech Techo assured the new Royal Government’s commitment to protecting foreign investors and ensuring peace and stability in Cambodia. He also looked forward to the construction of the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, which will span the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, and thanked South Korea for its continued support for infrastructure development, including National Roads 48, 2, and 21.
Finally, Samdech Techo expressed gratitude for South Korea’s efforts in elevating the Japan-Mekong Summit and urged continued cooperation despite the Myanmar crisis. He highlighted the Japan-Mekong projects' role in combating climate change and preserving river ecosystems. He also spoke about the orderly transfer of power in Cambodia to ensure long-term peace and stability.
Lastly, Samdech Techo invited Woo Won-shik to visit Cambodia at a convenient time in the future.
=FRESH NEWS
