Prime Minister Hun Manet (right, second from camera), meets with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (left) in Seoul, South Korea in May. Manet led a high-level delegation on an official visit to the prosperous Asian nation from May 15-18. STPM
In a sudden about-face, in a video announcement posted by the Cambodian embassy to South Korea early this afternoon, ambassador Chring Botumrangsay confirmed that the embassy will extend passport issuance services for Cambodian citizens in South Korea.
The decision follows the closure of the second phase of the programme on August 26, and will allow citizens to apply for new passports during a third round, scheduled to run from September 4 to November 2.
The embassy originally announced the permanent closure of regular passport services for Cambodian nationals living, working and studying in Korea, effective from August 26, in an August 21 notice.
Today’s 12-minute video was described as being in response to requests from Cambodian nationals working, living and studying in South Korea.
The passport service, spearheaded by Prime Minister Hun Manet, was launched in January to alleviate the financial and logistical burdens associated with the need to return to Cambodia for passport renewal or issuance.
Ambassador Botumrangsay noted that this collaborative effort with the Ministry of Interior has been instrumental in making passport services more accessible to the Cambodian community in Korea.
“We saw significant demand during the first phase,” she said.
“Given the continued need, many people still have not had the opportunity to visit our embassy. During the prime minister’s official visit to South Korea from May 15 to 18, he approved an extension to accept applications for new passports for an additional three months, from May 20 to August 25,” she added.
Since the inception of the service on January 10, the embassy has received 4,365 applications and has been diligently processing and issuing passports.
The procedures for application were initially made available on the embassy’s Facebook page on January 9, providing a clear guide for Cambodian citizens residing in South Korea.
The initial phase saw overwhelming demand, with the embassy serving as a crucial resource for Cambodians working in Korea.
Despite the announcement of the permanent closure of the service, the Cambodian government has responded swiftly to the needs of its citizens abroad, with Prime Minister Hun Manet granting permission for the continuation of a third round.
“We are pleased to inform the public that, following yesterday's notice, Manet has granted permission for the embassy and Ministry of Interior officials to continue processing passport applications in the third round for Cambodian citizens in South Korea,” said the ambassador.
The third phase will begin on September 4 and run through November 2, 2024. Ambassador Botumrangsay encouraged all Cambodians in South Korea who have yet to apply for a passport to take advantage of this extended period.
She also provided comprehensive details on the application process, required documents, fees and service charges to ensure that the process remains smooth and efficient.
The Cambodian community in South Korea is sizable, with the embassy estimating that approximately 50,000 Cambodians reside in the country.
Among them, there are 49,178 workers, around 4,600 married women and approximately 300 students. Additionally, there are about 10,000 more Cambodians of Korean descent.
The announcement of a permanent closure prompted concerns among those who had yet to apply.
The embassy urged all citizens to stay informed through official communication channels and encouraged them to complete their passport applications within the newly extended timeframe.
For those who have already applied, passports can be collected according to the notifications posted on the embassy’s Facebook page.
