PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has sent repeated warnings to a country that has been pressuring Cambodia over its Ream Naval Base. The Prime Minister said that Cambodia has the right to care for its own national security.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony for students of the Institute of New Khmer, on Monday morning, 6 March 2023, Prime Minister Hun warned foreigners who once dragged Cambodia into war to look back on their past actions and remember that Cambodia has the right to take care of its own security.

"Even the Ream Naval Base becomes your concern," he said. "[You] only care about your own security, but not about the security of Cambodia."

While the Prime Minister did not name the country he was referring to, whom he says supported the Lon Nol coup and also repeatedly brings up issues with the Ream Naval Base, he was likely referring to the United States, who has frequently made statements regarding Cambodia’s naval bases.

Cambodia was plunged into war in 1970 after General Lon Nol’s coup d'état that saw the ousting of Prince Norodom Sihanouk. Cambodia continued to be afflicted by war and division until a successful political coup in 1998.