AKP Phnom Penh, February 04, 2026 --

H.E. Dr. Chhay Sophal, Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, has been appointed as an Honorary Ambassador for the Kookhakwon Institute, also known as the Institute for Traditional Korean Culture Studies, the organisation announced this week.

During an appointment ceremony held on Feb. 3, Mr. Lee Gi-woo, Director of the National Academy at Kookhakwon, stated that H.E. Dr. Chhay Sophal was selected for his global expertise, extensive research contributions, and his commitment to sharing knowledge with future generations.

Kookhakwon is a prominent South Korean institution dedicated to preserving the historical and cultural roots of the Korean peninsula. Its mission encompasses fostering a spirit of peace, social harmony, and global well-being through the study of traditional values.

In his acceptance speech, H.E. Dr. Chhay Sophal expressed his pride as a Cambodian citizen to receive such recognition from the institute. He emphasised that Cambodia remains a staunch advocate for a culture of peace and dialogue.

"Cambodia continues to advance its parliamentary diplomacy agenda under the leadership of former Prime Minister and current Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen," he said. "We are committed to building sustainable peace and development both regionally and globally through international cooperation."

H.E. Dr. Chhay Sophal also serves as the President of the Seoul-based Asian Journalists Association (AJA), which represents media professionals from nearly 30 countries across Asia and the Middle East. 

Through AJA’s multilingual platforms, he has been a vocal advocate for Cambodian culture, tourism, and investment.

The Asian Journalist Association operates websites in English, Korean, and Arabic, allowing all members to submit and share news from each member country. 

Previously, H.E. Dr. Chhay Sophal has written numerous brief articles for this website, covering the promotion of Cambodia’s culture, traditions, tourism, agriculture, commerce, and investment. This includes reporting on the Thai military’s incursions into Cambodian territory, as well as serious violations of the ceasefire by the invading Thai military, which have continued from Dec. 27 to the present.

The appointment is expected to further strengthen cultural and intellectual ties between South Korea and Cambodia.

By K. Rithy Reak