Korean Ambassador: S. Korea studying Chroy Chongvar – Svay Chrom bridge proposal

• Kongleaphy Keam
• 2 July 2020
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The South Korean government is currently studying the Chroy Chongva – Svay Chrom bridge project proposed by PM Samdech Hun Sen earlier this year, in the hope that the project will become a new diplomatic symbol of cooperation between Cambodia and South Korea.

Korean Ambassador to Cambodia Park Heung-Kyeong said on 01 June that the Korean government is positively considering helping Cambodia with this bridge proposal, as Cambodia has already a Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge and a Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge.

“At the moment, the Korean government is checking the possibility of Chroy Chongva – Svay Chrom Friendship Bridge project. If the project is approved, it will be first-ever (Korea’s) cable-stayed bridge built in Cambodia and a new symbol of diplomatic relations between the two countries,” said H.E. Park in the Raksemey Kampuchea Daily published on 01 June.

Regarding this matter, spokesman of Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) Vasim Sorya, told Construction & Property Magazine on 02 June that, to date, there have not been any studies jointly conducted between officials of the ministry and the Korean expert team on the bridge project yet.

“At the moment, the ministry [MPWT] allows the Korean side to check the possibility on their budget to construct the bridge first,” HE Sorysa said.

HE Sorya, however, expressed optimism that the project would not only facilitate ease of traffic for commuters, but that the bridge would also link to the ring roads in the east of Phnom Penh.

“Generally, building roads and bridges are essential, particularly in Phnom Penh, which has high economic and trade activities. Particularly, with the plan of expanding Phnom Penh city toward the east, there has to be a bridge connecting to those ring roads,” said HE Sorya.

The request for support to build the Chroy Chongva – Svay Chrom was proposed by Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen during the groundbreaking ceremony of the NR2 construction in February. PM Hun Sen said that the Cambodia government would prioritise this bridge by utilising the US$700 million loan provided by the South Korean government for 2019-2023. (Read more)

According to Samdech Hun Sen, Areiy Ksatr and Svay Chrum, on the east bank of the Mekong River from Phnom Penh, will be a huge satellite city in the future, especially after this bridge becomes a reality. (Read more)

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