Suspension of Cambodia ODA Projects Amid Rising Concerns Over Recent Kidnapping Incidents
In light of recent kidnapping and confinement incidents involving South Koreans, there is a growing public sentiment to suspend official development assistance (ODA) to Cambodia. Consequently, local governments including Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Gyeongsangbuk-do have confirmed that they are halting the execution of related budgets. The worsening local security situation and political instability have been cited as reasons for the inability to guarantee the continuation of projects.
The South Korean government has also announced plans to strengthen appropriateness reviews and risk management for its ongoing ODA initiatives in Cambodia, which had been steadily increasing over the years.
On the 23rd, the Seoul city government announced that it would fully suspend the Preah Ang Eng Pedestrian-Friendly Street project, which was planned for Phnom Penh. This initiative, with a total budget of 1.5 billion won, aimed to transform a 1.3 km stretch of road into a pedestrian-centered area to revitalize the surrounding tourism and commercial districts. This project was intended to share urban policy experiences from successful Seoul initiatives, such as the pedestrian-friendly streets of Sejong-daero and Jongno, as part of the ODA Challenge program. A city official stated, "This project was part of our initiative to share urban policy experiences with developing countries. However, due to the current situation, we will conduct a thorough risk assessment and begin restructuring the project."
Gyeongsangbuk-do has also temporarily halted the execution of its ODA budget of 750 million won allocated for Cambodia this year. The province had previously signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia for the Another Gyeongbuk (K) Project and had been working on subsequent projects. The plan included the provision of over 6.61 million square meters of land by Cambodia, with Gyeongsangbuk-do investing around 700 million won to establish a cashew nut smart farm and specialized production complex. However, all related procedures, including the procurement of agricultural machinery, have now come to a standstill. Until last year, the province had supported 85 fire trucks and 10 fire pumps to the Cambodian government as part of its assistance efforts.
As the situation evolves, authorities are re-evaluating their commitments and the viability of ongoing projects in Cambodia, emphasizing the importance of safety and security for South Koreans abroad.
The South Korean government has also announced plans to strengthen appropriateness reviews and risk management for its ongoing ODA initiatives in Cambodia, which had been steadily increasing over the years.
On the 23rd, the Seoul city government announced that it would fully suspend the Preah Ang Eng Pedestrian-Friendly Street project, which was planned for Phnom Penh. This initiative, with a total budget of 1.5 billion won, aimed to transform a 1.3 km stretch of road into a pedestrian-centered area to revitalize the surrounding tourism and commercial districts. This project was intended to share urban policy experiences from successful Seoul initiatives, such as the pedestrian-friendly streets of Sejong-daero and Jongno, as part of the ODA Challenge program. A city official stated, "This project was part of our initiative to share urban policy experiences with developing countries. However, due to the current situation, we will conduct a thorough risk assessment and begin restructuring the project."
Gyeongsangbuk-do has also temporarily halted the execution of its ODA budget of 750 million won allocated for Cambodia this year. The province had previously signed a memorandum of understanding with Cambodia for the Another Gyeongbuk (K) Project and had been working on subsequent projects. The plan included the provision of over 6.61 million square meters of land by Cambodia, with Gyeongsangbuk-do investing around 700 million won to establish a cashew nut smart farm and specialized production complex. However, all related procedures, including the procurement of agricultural machinery, have now come to a standstill. Until last year, the province had supported 85 fire trucks and 10 fire pumps to the Cambodian government as part of its assistance efforts.
As the situation evolves, authorities are re-evaluating their commitments and the viability of ongoing projects in Cambodia, emphasizing the importance of safety and security for South Koreans abroad.
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