Cambodia’s Acting Head of State Hun Sen has encouraged South Korean businesses to increase investment in Cambodia, highlighting investment cooperation as an important pillar of the two countries’ economic and trade relations.
Acting Head of State Hun Sen made the call during a meeting with Kim Jin-pyo, former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, at the Senate’s Solidarity Palace in Phnom Penh on September 21. According to the Senate, Kim said relations between Cambodia and South Korea are developing positively and that Korean investors continue to show interest in Cambodia.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Meeting date | September 21, 2026 |
| Location | Senate’s Solidarity Palace, Phnom Penh |
| Cambodian representative | Hun Sen, Acting Head of State |
| Korean representative | Kim Jin-pyo, former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea |
| Main investment message | Encourage greater Korean investment in Cambodia |
| Other focus | Tourism and people-to-people ties |
| Official source | Senate spokesperson / Agence Kampuchea Presse |
Mr. Hun Sen Urges Stronger Korean Business Engagement
During the meeting, Kim Jin-pyo said Cambodia-South Korea relations are progressing positively and noted continued interest among Korean investors in Cambodia.
Acting Head of State Hun Sen welcomed the observation and encouraged Kim to further promote Cambodia as an investment destination among Korean businesses. He also expressed hope that bilateral relations would continue to strengthen and develop.
Acting Head of State Hun Sen described South Korea as an important partner in Cambodia’s economic and trade cooperation, particularly in investment.
The discussion did not announce a specific new investment project, investment amount or commitment by a Korean company. Instead, the meeting focused on encouraging further business engagement and strengthening the broader bilateral economic relationship.
Korean Investors Continue to Explore Cambodia
The latest meeting comes amid a series of recent engagements between Cambodia and South Korean investors.
In July, a delegation representing 15 South Korean companies met Prime Minister Hun Manet to explore investment expansion and new business opportunities in Cambodia. The delegation covered sectors including automotive, electronics, textiles, finance and banking, construction, distribution, food, entertainment and culture.
According to AKP, seven of the companies were already operating in Cambodia, while six others based in Vietnam were considering expanding manufacturing operations into Cambodia.
Earlier in May, South Korean investors led by the President of the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry also explored additional investment opportunities, particularly in Cambodia’s agriculture sector and cashew production.
These engagements indicate that Korean business interest extends beyond established manufacturing activities into agriculture and other potential investment areas.
Investment and Tourism Remain Closely Linked
The meeting also touched on tourism.
Kim Jin-pyo expressed hope that more South Korean tourists would visit Cambodia, saying greater tourism flows could contribute to people-to-people exchanges and bilateral relations.
Cambodia has also been pursuing greater engagement with Korean tourism and business groups. Earlier this month, the International Interchange Development Association of South Korea pledged to help promote Cambodia as a tourism destination and attract more Korean tourists and investors.
The parallel focus on investment and tourism reflects the broader economic relationship between the two countries, where business connections and people-to-people exchanges can reinforce one another.
Cambodia Seeks to Strengthen the Korean Investment Pipeline
For Cambodia, attracting additional Korean investment is particularly relevant as the country seeks to move toward higher-value manufacturing, technology adoption and greater integration into regional supply chains.
Recent government engagement with Korean companies has included discussions on improving the investment environment, simplifying administrative procedures and strengthening infrastructure to reduce production and logistics costs.
Cambodia also maintains a dedicated Korea Desk within the Council for the Development of Cambodia, providing an institutional channel for Korean investors seeking information and assistance with investment matters.
At the same time, Cambodia and South Korea have continued cooperation on labour and skills development. A September 17 seminar for Korean companies in Cambodia focused on labour laws and working conditions, with Cambodian authorities encouraging Korean businesses to comply with local regulations while expanding investment.
What the Latest Meeting Means for Investors?
The September 21 meeting should be viewed primarily as a high-level political and economic signal rather than the announcement of a new investment deal.
Acting Head of State Hun Sen’s call for greater Korean investment adds to a series of recent government-level engagements with Korean companies and business organisations. The July delegation, May agriculture discussions and September tourism and investment initiatives all point to continuing efforts to deepen the commercial relationship.
For potential investors, the practical question will be whether this growing dialogue translates into additional projects, manufacturing expansion, technology partnerships and investment commitments in Cambodia.
Angkor Times Analysis
South Korea is already an established economic partner for Cambodia, but the recent pattern of meetings suggests that Cambodia is seeking to deepen the relationship beyond existing investment.
Three areas are particularly notable.
First, manufacturing expansion. Recent discussions involving Korean companies have included automotive, electronics, textiles and other manufacturing-related sectors. Cambodia’s efforts to improve infrastructure and investment procedures could support further expansion if companies determine that the operating environment meets their requirements.
Second, agricultural investment. Korean investors have recently examined opportunities in agriculture, including cashew production. This could support Cambodia’s broader objective of moving from primary production toward processing and higher-value agricultural exports.
Third, tourism and investment promotion are increasingly interconnected. Cambodia is seeking more Korean visitors while simultaneously encouraging Korean companies to invest. Greater business and tourism exchanges can create additional commercial connections, although the scale of any future investment will depend on individual companies and market conditions.
The September 21 meeting therefore adds to an ongoing investment dialogue rather than representing a single new investment commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mr. Hun Sen ask South Korean businesses to do?
Acting Head of State Hun Sen encouraged greater investment by South Korean businesses in Cambodia and asked Kim Jin-pyo to help promote investment opportunities among Korean companies.
Was a new Korean investment project announced?
No specific new investment project, company commitment or investment amount was announced during the meeting.
Which sectors are Korean investors exploring in Cambodia?
Recent engagements have covered sectors including automotive, electronics, textiles, finance, construction, distribution, food, entertainment, culture and agriculture.
Did the meeting discuss tourism?
Yes. Kim Jin-pyo expressed hope that more South Korean tourists would visit Cambodia, contributing to people-to-people exchanges and bilateral relations.
Does Cambodia have an institution supporting Korean investors?
Yes. The Council for the Development of Cambodia has a dedicated Korea Desk for investment-related support and information.