AKP Phnom Penh, January 31, 2026 —

Cambodian Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, H.E. Heng Sour, held a high-level meeting with Ms. Choi Moon Jung, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Cambodia, to discuss the implementation of a major bilateral project aimed at enhancing youth skills and employment opportunities in Korea.

The meeting, held on Jan. 30 at the Ministry’s headquarters, focused on the "Project for Developing Skilled Labour to Meet Industrial Demand in Cambodia (2026-2030)."

Minister Heng Sour expressed profound gratitude for KOICA's ongoing and significant contributions to Cambodia's development. He emphasised the critical importance of expanding this cooperation, which aligns with a key priority of the Royal Government: transforming Cambodia’s workforce into a highly skilled labour pool.

The Minister reaffirmed Cambodia’s strong commitment to implementing the project, which stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024. The project's goal is to advance the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in Cambodia, addressing labour market demands both domestically and in the Republic of Korea. This collaboration is seen as a vital driver for economic growth and sustainable development in Cambodia.

Through this initiative, Cambodia aims to significantly increase the number of skilled workers in high-demand fields such as industrial mechanics, electrical installation, and construction, specifically tailored to meet the requirements and standards of the Korean labour market.

In response, Ms. Choi Moon Jung welcomed the expanded partnership, highlighting the project's shared objective: to ensure Cambodian students gain comprehensive vocational skills through robust theoretical knowledge and hands-on, practical training in schools. She noted that the project not only focuses on training but also includes linking graduates to overseas employment opportunities, providing them with globally recognised industrial-standard experience.

In closing, while thanking KOICA and all technical teams for their diligent work in preparing the project for its imminent launch, Minister Heng Sour also requested KOICA's support in enhancing the Korean language capacity of Cambodian students. This, he stated, would facilitate their better understanding of training materials and ensure they gain the fullest possible benefit from their education.

By K. Rithy Reak