Daily Update from Local Newspapers October 23-24, 2013

1.                 Korea’s Interest in Cambodia

Cambodia is Rank Number One in Receiving Financial Aid from KOICA

During a meeting on 21 October 2013, Mr. Kim Young Mok, President of Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), informed H.E. Aun Porn Moniroth, Minister of Economy and Finance, that Cambodia is ranked number one in receiving financial aid from KOICA. Besides, Mr. Kim has highly appreciated the Royal Government of Cambodia for effectively implementing a project of KOICA, adding that the purpose of his visit in Cambodia was to learn about development cooperation, other activities as well as to further strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. The financial aid which KOICA has provided to Cambodia from 1991 to 2012 and the aid to be provided in 2013 worth approximately 129 million USD. (Kampuchea Tmey, 23 October 2013)

KOICA Proud to Assist Cambodia in Economy Field

During pay a courtesy call on Premier Hun Sen on 22 October 2013, Mr. Kim Young Mok, President of KOICA, expressed congratulations to Samdech Techo Hun Sen for his victory on the 5^th mandate of the National Assembly Election, adding that KOICA is very proud to assist Cambodia in economy field and to further strengthen the relationship between Cambodia and Korea. He also informed the Cambodian premier of his talks with Cambodian Ministers of Health, Education, Rural Development, Planning and Economy, especially on bilateral cooperation in accordance with the Royal Government of Cambodia’s rectangular strategy focusing on the areas of education, human resource training, rural development, new village development, public health, and public infrastructure. For his part, Premier Hun Sen has suggested KOICA to examine on infrastructure issues as well as water resources and to encourage more Korean investors and tourists to Cambodia. (Kampuchea Tmey, 23 October 2013)

Ministry of Health Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Construction of Cambodia-Korea Ophthalmology Friendship Center worth over 5 Million USD

The groundbreaking ceremony of the construction of Cambodia-Korea ophthalmology friendship center was held on 22 October 2013 under Presidency of H.E. Mom Bunheng, Minister of Health and H.E. Kim Han Soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia and Mr. Kim Young Mok, President of KOICA. According to Mr. Lu Ly Khieng, Director of Preah Ang Duong Hospital, the building was supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea which is projected to spend 5,5 million USD. Mr. Kim Young Mok hoped that this project will provide a fruitful result and further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. Furthermore, he considered the center as a symbol represent for cooperation of the two countries. (Kampuchea Tmey, 23 October 2013)

Korea to Host the 7^th Korean Film Festival in Cambodia

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts will co-host the 7th Korean Film Festival at Lux Cinema to be held on 25-27 October 2013.  The Opening Session for the festival will be started at 7PM on 25 October 2013, in the Presence of H.E. Kim Han Soo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and H.E. Som Sokun, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The festival will be made with the aim of showing Korean culture to Cambodian people so as to strengthen mutual understanding on cultural sector between the two nations. The Film Festival will show four popular Korean films including Hello Ghost, Arahan, Leafie a Hen into the Wild, and Miracle in Cell No. 7. (Rasmei Kampuchea, 23 October 2013)