Thayer Consultancy Background Report:

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Cambodia: Prime Minister Hun
Sen’s Gratuitous Swipe at U.S.
Carlyle A. Thayer
February 13, 2018

Prime Minister Hun Sen today congratulated the North and South Koreas for "fixing"
their relationship temporarily at the Olympics. He then condemned other countries
(he didn't name the US but it's likely the US he was referring to) for wanting to divide
the peninsula and not being happy about the show of unity.
Q1. Is this just a chance for Hun Sen to take another swipe at the US and justify
eschewing foreign interference?
ANSWER: Ever since the national elections in May 1993, Hun Sen has come under the
criticism of the U.S., EU, Japan and Australia who have given their political and moral
support to his opponents. The drum beat of criticism has rankled Hun Sen who has
turned to China that espouses ostensible non-interference in Cambodia’s internal
affairs. Hun Sen’s off the cuff remarks alluding to interference in the present phase of
North-South relations is a continuation of his remarks critical of the U.S. and EU for
their comments deploring the evisceration of democracy in Cambodia. Hun Sen is
merely picking up on China’s line and his remarks are also aimed at a domestic
audience – Cambodia should be left alone to solve its own affairs.
Q2. Is the Olympic display a smokescreen or are there real hopes for the Korean
peninsula?
ANSWER: The current exchange of visits between North and South Korea cannot be
dismissed out of hand. They could lead to a diplomatic opening. Kim Jong-un has deftly
exploited differences between South Korea and the United States. Even U.S. Vice
President Mike Pence has acknowledged that discussions with North Korea are still on
the table. But past history should give pause to caution. North Korea has demanded
money and other concessions for agreeing to enter into talks with the United States
and other parties and this has not led to North Korea’s compliance with UN Security
Council resolutions.
North Korea is set to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles that are capable of
delivering a nuclear warhead on the U.S. mainland. Hun Sen has taken the stance he
has because China advocates North-South talks and U.S. restraint. Hun Sen, like North
Korea, needs Chinese support. The difference is that North Korea is capable of
maintaining its independence while Cambodia has chosen to accept a dependent
relationship with China to ward off external pressures to democraticize by holding free
and fair elections.
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Suggested citation: Carlyle A. Thayer, “Cambodia: Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Gratuitous
Swipe at U.S.,” Thayer Consultancy Background Report, February 13, 2018. All
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