Hun Xen returning from begging trip in South Korea

Cambodian PM returns home from S Korea after visiting

June 06, 2009
Xinhua

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen returned home Friday after attending the Commemorative Summit for the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN-Republic of Korea Dialogue Relation at the invitation of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

The summit was held from June 1 to 2, after the meeting, Hun Sen also paid an official visit to South Korea. During the visit, Hun Sen held talks with President Lee Myung-bak. Lee told Hun Sen that South Korea would help Cambodia in areas including infrastructure, agriculture, medical service and education.

At the same time, Hun Sen asked Lee for South Korea assistance in setting up a stock exchange to develop Cambodia's financial market.

Cambodia and South Korea signed a series of cooperation agreements including 60 million U.S. dollars in loans to help Cambodia building roads and sewers, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said at the airport.

Cambodia and South Korea re-established their diplomatic relations in 1997. South Korea became the largest foreign investing country in Cambodia in 2007, according to official statistics.

Korea, Cambodia to Strengthen Ties

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (2nd L) shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (2nd R) as Hun Sen's wife Bun Rany Hun Sen (R) and Lee's wife Kim Yoon-ok pose for the photographers before their meeting at Presidential Blue House in Seoul June 4, 2009. REUTERS/Lee Jin-man/Pool
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (R) during their meeting at Presidential Blue House in Seoul June 4, 2009. REUTERS/Lee Jin-man/Pool

June 5, 2009
The Chosun Ilbo (S. Korea)

President Lee Myung-bak sat down with visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen for a bilateral summit Thursday. The two leaders discussed the prospect of building an industrial complex for Korean companies in Cambodia.

The Cambodian leader requested Korea's help in establishing a stock exchange in his country, with President Lee promising his support along with a pledge to send additional development aid to improve medical services and education in the Southeast Asian country.

The summit with the Cambodian leader marked the completion of President Lee's bilateral talks with all ten ASEAN member countries on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Korea Commemorative Summit held earlier this week on Jeju Island.

Korea, Cambodia expand cooperation

Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Korea Herald

Korea and Cambodia yesterday celebrated their fast-expanding ties and agreed to further cooperation in resources, construction, finance and other diverse fields.

Seoul also pledged to assist Cambodia in improving agriculture, medical service and energy development while agreeing to offer $60 million in loans to finance the building of roads and renovation of sewers.

The agreements were made during a summit between President Lee Myung-bak and Prime Minister Hun Sen at Cheong Wa Dae.

Hun Sen arrived here Saturday to attend a summit between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which took place on Monday and Tuesday on Jeju Island to mark 20 years of official dialogue between the two sides.

Lee and Hun Sen agreed to support a plan to build an exclusive industrial complex for Korean companies in Sihanoukville, a port city in southern Cambodia.

Korea Land Corp. proposed the 20 billion won-project in 2008 to host the increasing number of Korean businesses in the nation.

The location will be finalized within the year and the first stage of construction will be complete by 2012, according to Seoul officials.

The industrial estate would help firms save costs and spur Korea's investment, they said.

Korea is the largest foreign investor in Cambodia with $830 million poured in as of 2007.

The two leaders also agreed to cooperate on the establishment of a bourse for equities and bonds in Cambodia.

In March, Korea Exchange signed an agreement with the Cambodian government to set up the exchange this year, each owning 45 percent and 55 percent, respectively.

The Korean bourse operator will offer information technology systems and Phnom Penh will provide the facility and site.

After the summit, they observed the signing of six memorandums of understanding, involving cooperation for the development of residential and industrial towns, the exploration of energy and mineral resources in Cambodia, among other things.

Korea will offer its know-how in transport management and set up a research center for agricultural technology in the nation.

The state-run Export-Import Bank of Korea also agreed to extend loans worth $30 million for the development of the Siem Reap River and the renovation of wastewater treatment system around the river.

Another $30 million credit will be offered for construction and maintenance for roads in Cambodia.

The premier is making his fifth visit to Korea, with which he has maintained close relations.

Korea is Cambodia's closest partner in investment, tourism, cultural exchanges, job training, information technology, construction, finance and aviation industries.

Two-way trade was $310 million in 2008 with Korea's exports and imports standing at $290 million and 14 million.

The two nations reestablished diplomatic ties in 1997, which Hun Sen regards as one of his proudest foreign policy achievements.

The leaders are also known to be close. Lee served as an economic adviser to Hun Sen for eight years from 2000, and the Cambodian leader attended Lee's inauguration in February 2008.

Hun Sen also deeply impressed citizens here when he personally headed rescue efforts after a passenger flight carrying many Koreans crashed in his country in 2007.

He recently told the Korean media that kimchi, Korea's signature side dish, is one of his favorite foods and that he can make it.

By Hwang Jang-jin
(jjhwang@heraldm.com)

SKorea to give $60 million in loans to Cambodia

04 Jun 2009
The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea - South Korea said Thursday it will provide $60 million in loans to Cambodia to build roads and sewers as the two countries agreed to broaden economic cooperation.

The loans came as Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen visited Seoul for talks Thursday with President Lee Myung-bak. Hun Sen earlier this week attended a special summit between South Korea and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on the southern resort island of Jeju.

South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund will provide the loan money, Lee's office said in a statement.

About one in three Cambodians live below the national poverty line of just 45 cents a day.

Lee told Hun Sen that South Korea would help Cambodia in areas including agriculture, medicine and education, the statement said. Hun Sen asked Lee for South Korean assistance in setting up a stock exchange to develop Cambodia's financial markets, it said.

South Korea and Cambodia re-established diplomatic relations in 1997. Ties were broken off in 1975 after the Khmer Rouge's takeover of Cambodia.

Cambodian PM Hun Sen to visit RoK

05/31/2009
VNA/VOVNews

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will pay an official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) from June 3-5, according to news reports.

During the official visit, Cambodia and the RoK will sign several cooperation agreements including the grant to Cambodia, loans for Cambodia's road rehabilitation, waste water treatment, Siem Reap River's development and cooperation in the fields of construction, energy, mines and communications.

The delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Senior Minister and Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh, Senior Minister and Minister of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction Im Chhun Lim and other members of the royal government.

The RoK became the largest foreign investor in Cambodia in 2007.

Hun Sen and Lok Chumteav Thom Bun Rany in South Korea for Lee Myung Bak's inauguration ceremony

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, center, salutes upon his arrival at the Seoul Military Airport in Seongnam, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. Hen Sen Sunday came to South Korea to attend New South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's inauguration ceremony. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, second from right, is greeted by Cambodian Embassy officials upon his arrival at the Seoul Military Airport in Seongnam, South Korea, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. Hen Sen Sunday came to South Korea to attend New South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's inauguration ceremony. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Hun Sen to leave to Korea on Sunday

Friday, February 21, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prime minister Hun Sen will leave for the Republic of Korea (South Korea) on Sunday 24 February, to participate in the swearing in ceremony of Lee Myung Bak, the new South Korean president who was recently elected. Hor Nam Hong, the vice-prime minister and minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, recently told reporters that he will accompany Hun Sen to this swearing in ceremony which will take place on 25 February 2008 in Seoul. Hor Nam Hong said that Hun Sen’s visit will bring benefits to the Cambodian people, and it will strengthen the cooperation relationship between the two countries. Hun Sen will hold a bilateral talk with Lee Myung Bak in Seoul also.

Hun Sen to visit South Korea on 24 February for his economic advisor’s presidential swearing-in

Friday, February 08, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Prime minister Hun Sen will lead the Cambodian government delegation to participate in the South-Korean presidential swearing-in, on 24 February. According to the planned schedule, Hun Sen will depart Cambodia of 24 February and will return back on 26 February. Hun Sen said that this swearing-in ceremony will be participated by the Chinese prime minister, the Japanese prime minister, and the US president – however, President George W. Bush will send in Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to represent him instead – and several other countries, such as Cambodia, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. Hun Sen said that the South Korean invitation sent to Cambodia shows that Cambodia is considered as a special country for South Korea.