(Yonhap Interview) Kimchi-loving Hun Sen proud of relations with S. Korea

By Lee Chi-dong
PHNOM PENH, May 28 (Yonhap) -- A defining figure in Cambodia's turbulent modern
history, Prime Minister Hun Sen says the restoration of his country's diplomatic
ties with South Korea a decade ago is one of his main feats -- paving the way for
Cambodia's economic development and politically bolstering his pragmatic policy
approach.

His push for balancing diplomatic relations between the two Koreas was unpopular
among many other Cambodian leaders who wanted to focus on ties with the North, a
Cold War comrade.
But Hun Sen was adamant. After seizing absolute power though a coup in 1997, he
reached his years-long goal of restoring Phnom Penh-Seoul ties, which were cut
off in 1975 when the communist Khmer Rouge came to power.
The prime minister likened his strategy with the game of chess: if you get one
thing, you give up another. He was assured that it was the right decision, and
the data is there to prove it. South Korea is the largest investor in Cambodia,
with US$1.2 billion pouring in from the country last year alone. The number of
South Korean tourists to Cambodia totaled 220,904 in 2008, ranking top. South
Korea is also a leader in the sectors of cultural exchange, vocational training,
IT, construction, finance and aviation.
Hun Sen said these good results have won over his former critics. "They now
support me," he said.
"Cambodia takes pride in such development made since the re-establishment of
diplomatic ties with South Korea. I am personally proud of it as well," Hun Sen
said in a rare media interview at his office residence located 11km south of
Phnom Penh. The weekend interview, which the prime minister called "very
special," lasted two hours.
The 58-year-old is widely known as a chain smoker, and he smoked several times
during the meeting with reporters. International health organizations have even
openly advised him to kick the habit.
"I started smoking at 18 when I was in the military. I would not smoke if there
was no war," he said, adding smoking "facilitates" his thinking and paperwork.
In this historically tumultuous Southeast Asian nation, dogged by conflicts with
neighboring countries and civil war, the political situation under Hun Sen's
leadership has been deemed more stable, although critics say democracy here is
still fragile.
Hun Sen pointed out that he would not have had the chance to attend the South
Korea-ASEAN summit to be held next week on South Korea's Jeju Island if Cambodia
had not restored the bilateral diplomatic relationship.
He and the leaders of nine other ASEAN countries -- Brunei, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam -- are
scheduled to attend the special summit from June 1-2. Designed to commemorate the
20th anniversary of their dialogue partnership, the meeting is expected to set
the stage for future cooperation.
"The event is meaningful in that the leaders of ASEAN member countries will hold
a summit in South Korea for the first time. Without Cambodia, it would be an
incomplete event," he said. "Cambodia and South Korea have maintained good
relations and the (upcoming) summit is expected to provide an opportunity for
closer ties."
He said South Korea, which rose from the ashes of the 1950-53 Korean War, is a
role model for Cambodia. "A person who has experienced poverty and other
difficulties can fully understand other people's hardship."
Hun Sen also expressed hope for expanded cooperation with South Korea, especially
on Cambodia's plan to introduce a stock market and become an agricultural
exporter. He plans to tour the Korea Stock Exchange headquarters in Seoul during
his trip to South Korea next week.
The prime minister, known for his love of kimchi, Korea's staple pickled side
dish, said he is already a friend of South Korea. He said his favorite gift from
South Korean embassy officials here is fermented cabbage and radishes.
Hun sen was among the first to send a message of condolences over the shocking
death of former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
"I don't know how to express my sadness. I express sincere, deep condolences. He
made large contributions to the improvement of ties between Korea and Southeast
Asia," he said at the outset of the interview held hours after Roh's death near
his home, recalling a one-on-one meeting with Roh in Cambodia in 2006.
Hun Sen also has close ties with the current South Korean president, Lee
Myung-bak. Lee served as the prime minister's economic adviser from 2000 to 2008,
when he became the South Korean leader, and Hun Sen attended Lee's inauguration
ceremony.
With regard to the North Korean issue, Hun Sen said the characteristics of
diplomacy with Pyongyang are unique.
"Diplomacy with North Korea requires a special approach," he said. "Some
countries take a hard-line approach and others support the six-way talks (on the
North Korean nuclear program). The world should make concerted efforts to ease
tension on the Korean Peninsula, as the situation involving North Korea is not
just a matter of the peninsula. I hope the nuclear issue will be resolved
smoothly on the basis of mutual trust built through the six-way talks."
Asked about his leadership style, Hun Sen said he is a leader who doesn't hesitate
to make a public apology if needed.
Indeed, he has apologized to his people four times during his premiership and to
the military twice as recently as a month ago for having paid little attention to
the border conflict with Thailand.
The leader says he keeps a full schedule, and makes little time for leisure.
"I don't know the details of good hotels or restaurants in Cambodia because I
don't have the time to go to them," he said. "But no other politician in Cambodia
has a better understanding of the daily life of farmers here."
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)