South Korea and Cambodia agreed to establish a strategic partnership to expand cooperation in defense, trade and infrastructure during a summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Seoul on Thursday. The partnership includes plans for a South Korean naval vessel to call at a Cambodian port later this year and increased collaboration in peacekeeping operations and against transnational crimes.

The two leaders also signed agreements to boost economic ties through a bilateral free trade agreement and to promote cooperation in social, cultural and development sectors. South Korea will increase its loan to Cambodia from $1.5 billion to $3 billion through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund and extend the provision period from 2022 to 2026 to 2022 to 2030. The countries also reaffirmed their commitment to international peace, security, free trade and the rule of law.