Hundreds of dutiful schoolchildren were on hand to wave North Korean and Cambodian flags at Phnom Penh International Airport on Thursday to welcome North Korean Prime Minister Kim Yong Il at the start of his four-day visit.
Both countries signed on Thursday afternoon two agreements—one ensuring the protection of any future North Korean investments in Cambodia, and another on maritime trade.
Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said that North Korea could become an export destination for Cambodian farm products, such as beans, sesame, corn and other crops.
Khieu Kanharith added that Cambodia seeks to play the role of a bridge between North Korea and neighboring South Korea, as well as Japan and the US.
While some extolled the potential of future economic cooperation with the reclusive communist state, some raised eyebrows at the visit.
“I don’t see any agreement with North Korea benefiting Cambodia,” said Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party. “Cambodia’s government could spoil its name by being a friend to North Korea,” he said.
SRP President Sam Rainsy said that close relations with Pyongyang would bring only minimal benefit to Cambodia.
“North Korea should spend its resources on developing its economy, not war,” he added.
Jeff Daigle, US Embassy spokesman, said the visit was viewed with optimism by Washington.
“We view it as a positive development with North Korea seeking to develop normalized relations with members of the international community,” he said.
