The 20 km Long Bypass Road Phase II Supported by Korea Launches

Translated from Koh Santepheap Daily Website (March 18, 2011)

Address: http://kohsantepheapdaily.com.kh/article/20110317-18478.html

The 20 km Long Bypass Road Phase II Supported by Korea Launches

Siem Reap: The construction of the over-20 km Angkor bypass road phase II, named Cambodia-Korea Friendship, starting from the front of Angkor Wat temple connecting to the [Angkor Area’s] big ring in Angkor Thom district was launched for asphalt-pavement with the planned budget of $11.5 million which is the grant aid from the Republic of Korea through Korea International Cooperation Agency.

The ground breaking ceremony of this most beneficial bypass road was held in the morning of March 17, 2011 in Kok Tachan village, Sangkat Kok Chork, Siem Reap city under the presidency of Mr. Sou Phirin, [Siem Reap] Provincial Governor, Representative of H.E. SOK AN, and Mr. Chang Ho-Jin, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Cambodia with the participations of officials, armed forces, and more than 3 thousand residents.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Sou Phirin said that the Angkor bypass road named Cambodia-Korea Friendship phase II which is under the ground breaking ceremony is the grant aid from the Republic of Korea through Korean International Cooperation Agency “KOICA”. The road is 20.5 km and will be asphalt-paved taking 2 years starting from now until late 2012 with the total budget of $11.5 million.

Mr. Sou Phirin also expressed deep thanks to the Government of the Republic of Korea for giving this precious grant aid for the construction of this Cambodia-Korean Friendship road to bypass heavily-loaded vehicles away from Angkor area which is the world heritage and for the benefit residents in Angkor area, especially residents living in Siem Reap city along the road can easily travel and transport their agricultural products and other product on this road with low cost which respond to the high recommendation:“Having Road is Having Hope” of Samdech Akak Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia. The Government of the Republic of Korea is leading in providing grant aid for road infrastructure which is the important blood vessel connecting one temple to another in Angkor park which is a famous world heritage.

Mr. Bun Narith, General Director of APSARA Authority recalled that Republic of Korea is a leading country in grant aid for road infrastructure in Angkor park, the world heritage, and this road is in the second phase. Between 2006 and 2008, the Republic of Korea provided $5.6 million in grant to construct 2 laterite roads followed by asphalt-pavement. The first line is west bypass road of 4.8 km, 8 m wide, starting from national road #6 near Krous primary school connecting to the asphalt-paved road in front of Angkor Wat temple near the former Fourth Military Regional Headquarter. The second line is east bypass road of 10.5 km, 8 m wide, starting from national road #6 near Svay Thom market connecting to the crossroad at Preah Dak market, which were inaugurated on May 05, 2009 under the high presidency of H.E. Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers and President of APSARA Authority

The General Director added that lastly the Republic of Korea has provided $11.5 million to construct Angkor road phase II paving the road with asphalt for 20.5 km connecting the 2 [east and west] asphalt roads to create a ring road of Angkor area to contribute to protect and heighten up the value of Siem Reap-Angkor area in long-term. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Cambodia Mr. Chang Ho-Jin promised that the Government of the Republic of Korea will keep close cooperation with Cambodian Government to push for the economic growth in Cambodia as well as in Siem Reap province. He believe that the bypass road phase II, inaugurated today, is a way of hope to the bride future of the cooperation between Cambodia and the Republic of Korea.