Synopsis: Both countries are pursuing initiatives to enhance their economic relationship, creating a more favourable environment for trade and investment.
Bilateral trade between Cambodia and South Korea has shown impressive growth in the first half of 2025, amounting to $438 million, up 10.7 percent from $396 million in the same period last year, an official report showed on Wednesday.
This significant increase was backed by the deepening economic ties and successful collaborative efforts between the two Asian nations.
Outgoing Korean Ambassador Park Jung-Wook said that the positive trade figures are a testament to several notable achievements in the Cambodia-South Korea partnership.
Both countries have actively pursued initiatives aimed at enhancing their economic relationship, creating a more favourable environment for trade and investment, he said during a meeting with Senate President Hun Sen, on July 15 in Phnom Penh.
“Notable achievements the two countries have achieved and resulted positively, such as the growth of bilateral trade, the mobilisation of Korean investors to Cambodia,” he said.
Through the organisation of various investment and business forums, Cambodian authorities, particularly the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), have successfully showcased Cambodia’s burgeoning potential to South Korean enterprises, he added.
He also mentioned the cooperation in the fields of culture, employment and vocational training, and cooperation in the implementation of various projects under ODA loans, including the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge construction project.
The Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), which came into force in December 2022, continues to be a cornerstone of this expanding trade relationship.
The agreement has provided preferential market access for a wide range of goods, significantly reducing tariffs and boosting the competitiveness of Cambodian exports to South Korea, said Penn Sovicheat, Secretary of State and Spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Sovicheat said, “The implementation of the Cambodia-Korea free trade agreement has gradually pushed the country’s exports to the Korean market remarkably.”
Cambodia exported $151 million worth of goods to South Korea, while importing $286 million during the mentioned period.
Cambodia mainly exports footwear and other apparel, travel products, beverages, electrical and electronic components, rubber, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products to South Korea.
The Kingdom imports vehicles, electronics, kitchen appliances, F&B products, pharmaceuticals and finished plastics and products.
Cambodia-Korea relations have been fast-paced and dynamic since the establishment of full diplomatic relations in 1997. Almost all areas of cooperation have increased, with bilateral trade volumes increasing, while Korean investment has also increased.
