"Weapons Sold by South Korea Used to Bomb Our Territory": Cambodians Rise Up

Cambodians in Korea Rally in Front of Defense Ministry
"Supersonic Trainer Jet Used for Bombing, Civilian Casualties"
"Cambodia Wants Peace" ? Condemnation of Thailand

Cambodians residing in South Korea have condemned the South Korean government, claiming that weapons exported by South Korea to Thailand were used to bomb their home country. According to Yonhap News on the 28th, Cambodians in Korea held a rally in front of the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan-gu on this day and submitted a petition to the Ministry of National Defense. Holding national flags and banners, they stated, "Weapons sold by South Korea are being used to invade Cambodia" and "Cambodia wants peace."

On the 17th (local time), the Thai military fired flares during a battle with Cambodia in Surin Province, Thailand. Photo by AP Yonhap News

They claimed that on the 24th (local time), when Thailand bombed Cambodia, the T-50TH (Golden Eagle), a supersonic advanced trainer developed and exported by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), was used to invade their territory and kill civilians. They urged, "The South Korean government and National Assembly must condemn Thailand for misusing exported defense products intended for training as offensive weapons." According to unofficial police estimates, about 70 to 80 people attended the rally.

Previously, leading Thai media outlet Thai Rath reported that "the Royal Thai Air Force deployed the T-50TH Golden Eagle deep into Battambang Province, Cambodia, for its first combat mission." The Royal Thai Air Force introduced the T-50TH in 2018 and currently operates 14 units. The T-50 has been introduced in South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Iraq, and the Philippines, but has only been used for training purposes. The Royal Thai Air Force had also operated the T-50TH only for tactical training, but by deploying it in the recent airstrike on Cambodia, it is now evaluated as having demonstrated its precision bombing capability in actual combat.

According to Yonhap News, Thailand and Cambodia have been engaged in a territorial dispute at undefined points along the 817-kilometer border first surveyed when France colonized Cambodia in 1907. After a small-scale skirmish in May, the two countries engaged in armed conflict for five days in July. At that time, 48 people were killed on both sides and more than 300,000 refugees were displaced. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in October through the mediation of U.S. President Donald Trump, the agreement was broken after a Thai soldier was injured by a landmine explosion in the border area of Sisaket Province, Thailand, on the 10th of last month.

On the 27th, at the Border General Committee held in Chanthaburi, Thailand, Tea Seiha (left), Minister of National Defense of Cambodia, and Nataphon Nakpanit, Minister of National Defense of Thailand, are holding the ceasefire agreement. Photo by AP Yonhap News

However, the two countries agreed to implement a ceasefire as of noon on the 27th, 20 days after the fighting began, freezing the current deployment of troops and prohibiting any additional troop movements. This ceasefire was achieved after three days of talks that began on the 24th. Nevertheless, even during the talks, the Cambodian side claimed that the Thai military intensified bombing in the border region, indicating that the risk of renewed conflict remains.

The United States and China are both emphasizing their roles in mediating between the two countries. President Trump stated on his social media account on the 28th, "I am pleased to announce that the fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has been temporarily suspended and that the two countries have returned to peaceful coexistence under the recently agreed treaty," adding, "As always, the United States is proud to have contributed to this ceasefire."

On the 27th, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We welcome the signing of the ceasefire agreement regarding the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. China is willing to continue providing a platform for comprehensive and concrete communication between Cambodia and Thailand and to create the necessary conditions," adding, "We will play a constructive role in solidifying the ceasefire, restoring exchanges, rebuilding political mutual trust, transforming relations, and maintaining regional peace."