Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly of Cambodia (NA), received at the NA Palace in Phnom Penh on July 29 visiting H.E. Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do province of the Republic of Korea.
According to an NA’s news release, during the courtesy call, Samdech Khuon Sudary fondly recalled her visit to Gyeongsangbuk-do in 2019 for the Gyeongju World Culture Expo, which highlighted the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Silla Kingdom, combined with advanced technologies. She thanked the governor for her time in Gyeongsangbuk-do that she had good memory of visiting numerous historical and cultural places including Bulhuk Temple and Seokguram Grotto. The two countries share similarities of historical and cultural temples between Silla Dynasty and Angkor Empire.
H.E. Lee Cheol-woo congratulated Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei on becoming the NA President. He noted that Gyeongsangbuk-do has shared good communication, history and similarities. He high
lighted the long-standing cultural exchange between the two nations, exemplified by the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2006 at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, which showcased the rich cultural heritage of both Silla and Angkor.
The governor expressed gratitude to Cambodia for offering support to the Korean people in the aftermath of the Korean war. During that time, Cambodia was one of advanced economies in Southeast Asia. He shared the views that human capital and healthcare are the foundations of nation building. Cambodia is on the right path by prioritising these two sectors.
Since re-establishing diplomatic ties in 1997, Cambodia and South Korea have developed a strong partnership across all sectors, recently elevated to a ‘strategic partnership’ for mutual benefits. In provincial frameworks, they have expanded to nine sister-city partnerships between Cambodian provinces and South Korean regions such as Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampot, Prey Veng and Kampong Speu, and no
w Kampong Thom. The close ties between the two countries are further demonstrated by the numerous marriages between Cambodian and Korean citizens, and our countries are considered as in-law countries.
The NA President highlighted the admiration of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of Cambodia, for Korea’s good-hearted friend, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when most flights were suspended, except for Korean flights. Samdech Rathsaphea Thipadei expressed her sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Korea for providing volunteer doctors to Cambodia and fostering friendship, peace, humanity, development and prosperity for our both countries and the region.
In recognition of these efforts, His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia, awarded a medal of the Royal Order of Sahametrei Grand Cross to H.E. Governor Lee Cheol-woo as a symbol of his valuable contributions to strengthening bilateral relations, cultural connectivity, and peopl
e-to-people ties between the two countries.
Samdech Moha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary extended heartfelt thanks for the Republic of Korea’s continued support and friendship and wished the delegation good health and success in their future endeavors.
Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse
