Moon Meets Cambodian Prime Minister... Reaffirms Support for Korea Peace Process (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the afternoon of the 11th, President Moon Jae-in met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at the Blue House main building to discuss the New Southern Policy and the Korea-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while reaffirming support for the Korean Peninsula peace process.

President Moon stated, "Cambodia is a key partner in our government's New Southern Policy and a major partner in ODA (Official Development Assistance)." He added, "I am very pleased that the Korea-Cambodia FTA, which the Prime Minister proposed during my visit to Cambodia in 2019, bore fruit last year."

President Moon evaluated the Korea-Cambodia FTA as "especially meaningful as it is the first FTA signed with a Mekong country since the announcement of the New Southern Policy," and Prime Minister Hun Sen responded, "You mentioned that the FTA signed with Cambodia is the first FTA Korea has concluded with a Mekong country, and I am very proud of this."

Regarding the Korea-Cambodia FTA, Prime Minister Hun Sen said, "Cambodia has signed and completed all internal procedures, including enforcement and ratification," and requested, "I understand that Korea has not yet ratified it, so I hope more efforts will be made toward ratification."

President Moon also said, "Since assuming the co-chairmanship of Korea-Mekong cooperation last year, regional cooperation between the two countries has become closer," and added, "As we mark the 25th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations this year, I hope the bilateral relationship will further develop." In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen said, "I look forward to various events being held to promote relations between Korea and Cambodia on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the reestablishment of diplomatic relations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon praised Cambodia for managing COVID-19 steadily through rapid vaccination and expressed hope that cooperation projects in medical and health fields, such as strengthening infectious disease response systems, will be actively promoted in the future. He also mentioned expanding cooperation in science and technology, information and communications, as well as human exchange and socio-cultural cooperation.

Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed gratitude for Korea’s support in providing vaccines to Cambodian workers and students, and President Moon conveyed appreciation for Cambodia’s consistent support of the Korean government’s efforts to advance the Korean Peninsula peace process.

Prime Minister Hun Sen reaffirmed his support and encouragement for the Korean Peninsula peace process.

President Moon also shared concerns about the prolonged situation in Myanmar and wished for a peaceful resolution to the Myanmar crisis, while expressing support for efforts by Prime Minister Hun Sen and ASEAN at the regional level to resolve the Myanmar situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.