Cambodia, South Korea Seek Stronger Ties in Jobs and Skills Development
Cambodia, South Korea Seek Stronger Ties in Jobs and Skills Development
PHNOM PENH, April 22, 2026 — Cambodia and South Korea have pledged to deepen long-term cooperation on labour, skills development and human capital, as Phnom Penh seeks stronger overseas employment opportunities and increased investment ties.
Cambodian Labour Minister Heng Sour met newly appointed South Korean Ambassador Kim Chang Yong in Phnom Penh on Tuesday for talks focused on worker rights, labour mobility, vocational training and creating a more attractive environment for investors.
Heng thanked Seoul for continuing to allocate work quotas and facilitate visas for Cambodian workers, particularly to meet seasonal labour demand in South Korea’s agricultural sector.
He said South Korea had become a preferred destination for many Cambodian workers because of higher wages, better living standards and the opportunity to return home with new skills.
The minister also highlighted South Korea’s contribution to Cambodia’s development, including infrastructure, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), workplace safety, digital labour services and social security systems.
The meeting came a day after Cambodia’s Labour Ministry and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a memorandum on a project to develop a skilled workforce aligned with industrial demand in Cambodia.
Heng also briefed the ambassador on Cambodia’s crackdown on online crime and tighter work permit controls for foreigners without clear company sponsorship, measures aimed at reducing labour exploitation risks, including among foreign nationals living in Cambodia.
For his part, Ambassador Kim said he was honoured to begin his diplomatic mission in Cambodia and praised the country’s long history and rich culture. He noted that bilateral relations would mark their 30th anniversary in 2027.
Kim also commended Cambodia’s economic reform agenda and efforts to prioritise human resource development under the government’s Pentagonal Strategy.
The envoy thanked Cambodian authorities for supporting South Korean investors and nationals in Cambodia, as well as Cambodian workers in South Korea. He also welcomed a Cambodia-South Korea joint working group established in 2025.
Both sides agreed to expand that mechanism to help resolve labour-related issues between employers and employees, officials said.
The talks underscore growing economic links between the two countries, with labour migration, industrial training and investment expected to remain key pillars of bilateral cooperation.
