[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun held a luncheon on the 5th with Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia, who is visiting South Korea, and exchanged various opinions on strengthening practical cooperation, regional and multilateral cooperation, and expanding human exchanges between the two countries, the Prime Minister's Office announced.
In his luncheon speech, Prime Minister Chung said, "I played a leading role in the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Cambodia in 1997, greatly contributing to the development of bilateral relations, and I am personally honored to welcome Prime Minister Hun Sen, with whom I have a personal connection, as the first foreign guest since my inauguration."
He continued, "As the 'Square Strategy' proposed by Prime Minister Hun Sen has achieved results, Cambodia's economic growth is standing out globally. I hope to develop a mutually beneficial cooperative relationship with Cambodia, which has enormous potential, in various fields such as agriculture, energy, and development cooperation."
Cambodia's Square Strategy aims for 7% economic growth during the period from 2019 to 2023. It promotes human resource development, economic diversification, and sustainable and inclusive development. According to the World Bank, Cambodia is the only country among 215 countries worldwide that has maintained a GDP growth rate of over 7% annually since 2011.
In response, Prime Minister Hun Sen said, "I congratulate Prime Minister Chung on his inauguration and emphasize that I have always had great interest in Korea-Cambodia relations, which has led to efforts such as the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Cambodia (1997) and the proposal to elevate the Korea-Mekong cooperation framework to a summit level."
He added, "I express my gratitude for the active support from the Korean government in various fields, including Official Development Assistance (ODA), since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations. Korea has now become an indispensable partner in Cambodia's economic and social development."
The two prime ministers agreed to continue building a broader, future-oriented, and mutually beneficial cooperative relationship.
In particular, Prime Minister Hun Sen mentioned, "Many Cambodian citizens are residing in Korea, and recently, the number of Taekwondo practitioners in Cambodia has greatly increased. There are about 40 flights weekly between the two countries, indicating active exchanges."
He then proposed, "Let us further expand and deepen the bilateral relations that have achieved rapid development in a short period since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations."
In response, Prime Minister Chung said, "I look forward to Prime Minister Hun Sen's active support and cooperation in future cooperation between Korea and ASEAN and Mekong region countries."
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