(Phnom Penh): The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia hosted the 2026 National Day and Armed Forces Day Reception at the Sofitel Phnom Penh on Thursday (Oct. 1).

The event was attended by approximately 400 guests, including Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia, who attended as Guest of Honor, Ouch Borith, Vice President of the Senate, Chhiv Yiseang, Chairman of the 5th Committee of the Senate, Sry Thamarong, Senior Minister, Ieng Mouly, Senior Minister, Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce, Hem Vanndy, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation, Chheang Ra, Minister of Health as well as other senior Cambodian government and parliamentary officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the Korean community, and representatives from various sectors.

In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Kim Chang Yong noted that Korea and Cambodia share the experience of overcoming difficult periods in their respective histories and working together toward a better future, and assessed that bilateral relations have steadily developed since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 1997.

In particular, he described the elevation of Korea-Cambodia relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2024 as an important achievement, and expressed his hope that relations would continue to advance across a wide range of areas in which the two countries have worked closely together, including joint responses to transnational crime, economic and trade cooperation, development cooperation, education and culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Hang Chuon Naron, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, in his congratulatory remarks, recognized Korea’s economic and social development and achievements in the international community, and said that he expected Korea-Cambodia relations to develop further on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027.

He also expressed the hope that the two countries, as parties to the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, the Korea-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), would continue to expand cooperation in investment, business activities, and development.

Participants at the reception enjoyed a variety of Korean food, including gimbap and bulgogi, while celebrating the National Day of the Republic of Korea and exchanging views on ways to further deepen friendship and cooperation between Korea and Cambodia.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cambodia will take the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 2027 as an opportunity to build on the trust and cooperation accumulated by the two countries over the past three decades, further consolidate bilateral relations, and continue its efforts to expand exchanges and cooperation across diverse areas.
=FRESH NEWS