Cambodia asks South Korea to reconsider fighter jet sale to Thailand

2026-03-10 - 10:43

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia has urged South Korea to reconsider conditions for selling fighter jets to Thailand, saying the move could help maintain regional peace. The request was made during a meeting on 9 March between Cheam Yeap, First Vice President of Cambodia’s National Assembly, and a delegation from the South Korean National Assembly led by lawmaker Yoon Hu-duk in Phnom Penh, according to the National Assembly of Cambodia. Cheam Yeap asked the South Korean government to review the terms of any potential fighter jet sales to Thailand to ensure the weapons would not be used in acts of aggression and would contribute to peace in the region. He stressed that Cambodia’s firm position is to build peaceful relations with neighbouring countries, including Thailand, but said the country rejects any acts of aggression or the use of armed force against its territory. “In this context, Cambodia asks the South Korean government to carefully reconsider the conditions of selling fighter jets to Thailand so that such weapons do not become tools of aggression,” the statement said. The meeting took place as Cambodia and South Korea marked 55 years of diplomatic relations, with both sides pledging to strengthen parliamentary diplomacy and deepen their strategic partnership. During the talks, the two sides also discussed cooperation in infrastructure, investment, labour, education and digital security, as well as measures to combat cross-border crime and online scams. South Korean lawmaker Yoon Hu-duk praised Cambodia’s rapid development and pledged to encourage Seoul to continue protecting the rights and interests of Cambodian workers in South Korea.