ABSTRACT
This chapter explores Cambodia’s contemporary relations with South Korea in the context of US-China’s great power rivalry as well as in the context of South Korea’s New Southern Policy (NSP). Bilateral cooperation between Cambodia and South Korea has been consolidated and elevated into a new era of strong cooperation across the realms of trade, investment, economic cooperation, and infrastructure. Although the bilateral partnership between Cambodia and South Korea has markedly tightened, their relations remain awkward for two reasons. First, Cambodia has close ties with China. Second, South Korea is a democratic country, whereas Cambodia is an autocratic regime under Prime Minister Hun Sen. This chapter emphasizes that the relationship between South Korea and Cambodia has the potential for significant mutual advantage. The ambivalent and awkward nature of their partnership presents both opportunities and challenges for both countries. Cambodia and South Korea are on the same page when it comes to geopolitical tension between the two great powers. Accordingly, it would behoove them to continue to build on their shared convergent interests toward economic and strategic challenges. Cambodia’s geographical and economic landscapes have allowed Cambodia-South Korea bilateral relations to take an important position in South Korea’s foreign policy. While the NSP allows South Korea to engage with Cambodia, further its economic interests, and contain North Korea’s influence, Seoul’s unwillingness to take a hardline stance on human rights violations in Cambodia has given the impression that South Korea wants to play a balancing role between promoting democracy and forwarding its strategic interests.
