Hun Sen Begins Three-Day Trip to South Korea

Prime Minister Hun Sen left Monday on a three-day trip to South Korea, two months after Cambodia appointed its first ambassador to Seoul.

The prime minister encouraged the development of relations with South Korea in 1997, a delicate diplomatic maneuver since King Norodom Sihanouk has been a longtime ally of the regime in North Korea.

“For me, a visit to the Republic of Korea is good,” Hun Sen said as he boarded the plane at Poch­entong Airport. “Everything is good [between us] and South Korea.”

The nine-member delegation includes his wife, Bun Rany, Min­ister of Cabinet Sok An, For­eign Minister Hor Namhong and RCAF commander-in-chief Ke Kim Yan.

Hor Namhong said Hun Sen will meet with South Korean President Kim Dae Jung and discuss South Korea’s relationship to Asean. Cambodia is seeking $20 million from South Korea for agricultural development. Three doc­u­ments are scheduled to be signed: an agreement for air services, an agreement concerning loans from the Economic De­vel­opment Cooperation Fund, and a cult­ural exchange program for 2001-2002.

Hun Sen also is scheduled to visit Dankook University, where he will be awarded an honorary doctorate in political science “for his accomplishments in maintaining political stability and democracy,” Hun Sen adviser Om Yen­tieng said.

 

Related Stories

Exit mobile version