PM reminds Cambodians in South Korea to follow Republic’s laws

SEOUL, Feb 4, 2020, The Khmer Times. Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday reminded Cambodian students and migrant workers in South Korea to respect that country’s law, while simultaneously urging employers there to look after the workers, The Khmer Times reported.

He made the call while meeting 1,200 Cambodians in Seoul during his trip to South Korea to attend the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) World Summit 2020, which begins today and concludes tomorrow.

“I would like to call on all Cambodians who live in South Korea to continue respecting its laws and not to cause problems,” Mr Hun Sen said. “Students, please try your best to complete your studies and return to the Kingdom.”

He said that Cambodian migrant workers in South Korea not only benefit from earning high wages but also obtain vocational training; one of the Kingdom’s strategies in building up a good relationship with South Korea.

During his speech, Mr Hun Sen said the Cambodian government will not tolerate any abuse towards Cambodian migrant workers by employers and will intervene if necessary.

“We always protect our workers in any country, including the ROK,” he added.

Mr Hun Sen urged South Korean businessmen to protect and take care of Cambodians working for them.

“I would like to say thanks to all South Korean businessmen who employ Cambodian workers. Please help to take care of my people because they are like my relatives,” he said.

Ambassador to South Korea Long Dimanche said at the event that as of last year, 65,500 Cambodian workers in the Republic send $600 million to their families in the Kingdom annually.

Minister Attached to the Prime Minister Sry Thamarong said yesterday that Mr Hun Sen will deliver a keynote address on ‘Ending civil war’ during a summit session themed “Peace, Security and Human Development”.

“Samdech Prime Minister will share Cambodia’s success in ending its civil war,” he told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before flying off with the Prime Minister to join the summit. “As we know the world right now is so fragile. Therefore, maintaining peace and stability allows people to live happily, which is vital.”

Mr Thamarong added that Mr Hun Sen will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in today to discuss bilateral cooperation as well as regional and international issues of common interests.

He added that the Prime Minister will have a working lunch with his South Korean counterpart Chung Sye-kyun tomorrow to boost cooperation and relationships between both countries before flying back to the Kingdom.

“We will discuss strengthening the relationship between the two countries,” Mr Thamrong said. “Cambodia and South Korea are happy with the relationship because since ties were re-established in 1996 our cooperation has mutually benefited people in both countries.”

Cambodia and South Korea enjoy cordial ties and collaboration in many areas such as trade, investment, employment and education, according to a statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Bilateral trade between Cambodia and South Korea reached $1 billion last year.

From 1996 to 2018, South Korea gave out grants of more than $300 million to Cambodia. Last year it provided $17 million and plans to give out $24 million this year.