North Korean ambassador to Cambodia Jang Yun Gon (left) and Prime Minister Hun Manet shake hands during their meeting last week in Phnom Penh. STPM
Analysts suggest that Cambodia will maintain its cooperation with North Korea in areas of society, security and peace, as the Kingdom seeks stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Last week, North Korean ambassador to Cambodia Jang Yun Gon met with Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh, according to a post on Manet’s social media.
It noted that Jang highlighted the long-standing relationship between North Korea and Cambodia, fostered by former North Korean president Kim Il-sung and the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
“This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and the ambassador is committed to further strengthening and expanding cooperation,” the post said.
Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Royal University of Phnom Penh’s Institute for International Studies, said the traditional diplomatic relationship between Cambodia and North Korea is a testament to the friendship between the two countries.
He added that Cambodia has consistently promoted dialogue and cooperation between the two Koreas, with a core focus on peace, culture and people-centred values. He said this commitment was exemplified when Senate president Hun Sen, then prime minister, received the Sunhak Peace Prize in South Korea in 2022.
“Given the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Cambodia has always expressed concern about shifts in the balance of power and security on the peninsula, due to the intervention and influence of regional powers.
“Cambodia has also collaborated with ASEAN and other major powers to coordinate and promote security and peace on the Korean Peninsula, aiming to prevent the proliferation of weapons, including nuclear arms,” Mengdavid told The Post.
“The Kingdom will continue to work with North Korea to enhance cooperation in society, security and peace, with a focus on people-centred principles and international law,” he added.
During the meeting, Manet expressed his gratitude for Jang’s efforts in maintaining the relationship and cooperation between the two countries. He encouraged Jang to continue working closely with relevant Cambodian ministries and institutions, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, told The Post that the Cambodian-North Korean relationship is a legacy of the ties between their former leaders.
He noted that while the relationship continues, it remains a standard bilateral engagement without significant depth.
“What Cambodia wants is stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula, and we are committed to contributing to resolving the crisis there, as we maintain good relations with both North and South Korea.
“We hope to see a normalisation of relations between the two Koreas and the resolution of all disputes. Ideally, we hope for a peaceful and stable reconciliation, as the security issues on the Korean Peninsula impact the security and freedom of the entire region, and they also affect regional economic and political matters,” he said.
Ek Bunly, a researcher at the Cambodian Centre for Regional Studies (CCRS), told The Post that the meeting between Jang and Manet indicates that North Korea is striving to maintain its remaining diplomatic ties amidst a scarcity of international partners.
He noted that the reestablishment of relations between Cuba, one of North Korea’s closest partners, and South Korea, serves as a wake-up call for Pyongyang. It signals that if North Korea does not nurture relations with traditional partners, they may gradually drift away, he said, adding that rebuilding ties would be more challenging than maintaining them.
Bunly explained that the challenge is exacerbated by existing sanctions and the negative perceptions surrounding North Korea due to its provocative missile launches and nuclear developments.
“At the moment, it seems to me that North Korea needs Cambodia more than Phnom Penh needs Pyongyang. With strong economic, political and security partnerships already in place, Cambodia can advance its foreign policy and strategic goals without needing support from North Korea. But this is not the case for Pyongyang.
“Apart from the UN, North Korea currently has only the ASEAN Regional Forum, a bloc-led multilateral platform, as a venue for political participation where it can voice its stance among other actors,” he said.
“Even within ASEAN, some member states have developed a negative perception of North Korea, particularly after the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, in Malaysia in 2017.
“The number of countries willing to cooperate with North Korea has dwindled over the years. Therefore, maintaining good relations with remaining partners, including Cambodia, is crucial for Pyongyang to avoid complete political isolation,” he added.
In June 2022, the ASEAN foreign ministers issued a statement expressing grave concerns over the surge in North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile testing and launches, stating, “This worrisome development reflects increased tension on the Korean Peninsula and threatens peace and stability in the region and the world.”
During a meeting with South Korean ambassador Park Jung-wook in February 2023 in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said Cambodia condemned North Korea for its repeated missile launches, as they escalated tensions and posed threats to security and peace on the peninsula and globally.
Bunly noted that whether relations between the two nations improve or deteriorate will largely depend on North Korea’s actions. He added that Cambodia, with its strong ties to South Korea and minimal reliance on North Korea, is unlikely to be motivated to pursue deeper cooperation with Pyongyang.
“However, North Korea stands to gain from engaging with Cambodia, given Phnom Penh’s ability to convene within the ASEAN-led framework and its commitment to neutrality.
“Without proactive efforts from North Korea, discussions about bilateral relations between the two countries will remain confined to the nostalgic remembrance of their history during the 1960s and 1970s,” he said.
