(Phnom Penh): The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Ministry of Interior (MoI) of the Royal Government of Cambodia, on Tuesday (Mar. 31), officially signed the Record of Discussion (RD) for the “Project for Strengthening CSI & Forensic Science Capacity of Police in Cambodia.”
Funded by the Korean government through KOICA with a total budget of USD 13.5 million, the initiative aims to modernize Cambodia’s law enforcement by strengthening advanced investigative skills and digital forensic capabilities. The RD was signed by Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of the KOICA Cambodia Office, and Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Interior. The signing was witnessed by Kim Chang-yong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
This project is strategically aligned with Cambodia’s Pentagonal Strategy – Phase I (2024–2028) and long-term Vision 2050. In particular, it contributes directly to the national priority of human capital development by investing in law enforcement capacity building and fostering innovation to enhance national stability.
The initiative includes the establishment of a state-of-the-art research and forensic science facility within the Police Academy of Cambodia (PAC). Simultaneously, it will upgrade the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) and Digital Forensic Labs at the General Commissariat of National Police (GCNP) to meet international standards. Notably, the project will provide advanced training in critical disciplines such as DNA analysis, toxicology, and digital forensics, paired with the delivery of cutting-edge forensic equipment.
These joint efforts are designed to empower the Cambodian police to transition toward innovative, evidence-based policing strategies. By nurturing a well-equipped and knowledgeable police force, the project ensures that law enforcement is fully prepared to combat modern, sophisticated criminal networks and ensure the safety of citizens.
Kim Chang-yong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia, reaffirmed the Republic of Korea's strong commitment to Cambodia’s security and development goals. “The project we sign today represents a critical component of South Korea’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). It underscores the fundamental reality that no single country can successfully dismantle sophisticated criminal networks alone. Only through close cooperation and consistent information sharing can we truly uproot transnational crime.”
The initiative also responds to the urgent need for regional security cooperation, particularly in the fight against transnational online scams. Building on the success of a joint task force established last year, which has already demonstrated tangible results in combating online scam operations, this project provides a sustainable model to enhance public safety.
KOICA’s support covers the construction of physical infrastructure, technical modernization, policy support, and specialized capacity-building programs. This collaboration reflects nearly 30 years of trust and partnership between the two nations as they approach the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027.
With this initiative, KOICA continues to reaffirm its role as a long-standing development partner of Cambodia. The two parties will work together to transform the local investigative landscape and establish a premier model for regional crime prevention.
=FRESH NEWS
