The groundbreaking ceremony of the ‘Cambodia-Korean Friendship Bridge’ – the largest and longest bridge in the Kingdom – will begin in 2025, said Yoon Suk-Yeol, President of the Republic of Korea (RoK).
The construction date was revealed in response to a query by Hun Sen, President of Senate, who led the delegation to meet with the Korean President at the Blue House in Seoul, Korea, on September 11.
During the opening session of the ‘25th World Knowledge Forum 2024’ organised under the theme ‘Journey Towards Coexistence’, the Korean President thanked the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) for supporting the bilateral relations between Cambodia and Korea. He recalled the last visit of Prime Minister Hun Manet in May this year to enhance the strategic partnership to a new phase of cooperation.
Mr Hun Sen appreciated the participation of the Korean President in the ASEAN Summit 2022, hosted by Cambodia.
The Senate President said that he had been looking forward to the groundbreaking ceremony of the Cambodia-Korean Friendship Bridge – the largest and longest bridge in the Kingdom.
He expressed gratitude for Korea’s economic assistance and credit compensation in rebuilding and developing the country such as repairing National Road No 3, No 21 and No 48.
The Korean President said, “The Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge will begin its groundbreaking ceremony in 2025 and this bridge will be built with high quality and standard, symbolising a strong partnership between the two nations.”
Jeol underlined that the Korean government increased the amount of official development assistance (ODA) to boost the development in Cambodia during the Premier visit to RoK in May.
During the meeting, Mr Hun Sen termed the Cambodia-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as the most important collaboration that allowed both countries to boost exports and create opportunities for Korean businessmen to invest in the Kingdom.
He urged Yoon to encourage more Korean investors to explore more potential investment opportunities in Cambodia by setting up a Korean Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
On the protests by Cambodian migrant workers in Seoul, the Senate President responded with a positive stance by asking the South Korean government to extend the quota for Cambodian migrant workers, allowing them to work for a longer period in Korea. He also thanked the South Korean President for accepting Cambodians to work and learn techinical knowledge to develop the Kingdom upon their return.
Yoon supported the effort of RGC to establish, strengthen and expand the relations between the two countries, hoping the economic and trade ties will increase significantly in the near future.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Currie Sun Min Lee, Esq., Korea Desk Head at Bun & Associates said, “The continuous efforts by both governments to elevate existing bilateral relations to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership’ between the two countries is in the right direction.”
She said, “The timing is opportune as Cambodia and Korea will celebrate their 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations in the next three years and as both countries are eagerly awaiting the Cambodia-Korean Friendship Bridge, the largest and longest bridge in the Kingdom’s history.”
Lee hoped that “this committed partnership, evidenced by developments such as the $245 million bridge which will be built across the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, symbolically serves to create investor confidence and stimulate Korean investment into Cambodia, especially in the critical (renewable) energy and infrastructure sectors”.
(Source: khmertimeskh)