PHNOM PENH — The restoration of the historic Chorm Temple, overseen by the APSARA National Authority in collaboration with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation (KCHF), is progressing steadily, with the foundation nearly fully restored.

Korean architect Eo Jinkyu, who is leading the restoration efforts, explained that the project's current focus is on reinforcing the temple's foundation. This crucial first step involves preserving existing laterite stones that are still in good condition, while replacing damaged sections with new stone to ensure stability and longevity.

"The restoration of Chorm Temple faces many challenges, primarily due to the extensive damage," said Jinkyu. "Some of the stones are salvaged from various temples by our ancestors, complicating the task of reassembling them and locating their original positions."

Despite these difficulties, the team has made significant progress over the past seven months. Approximately 80% of the new foundation has been installed, and efforts to repair damaged stones are ongoing.

The Chorm Temple restoration project initially began in 2019 but was temporarily halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Work resumed in 2021 and has continued to the present day, aiming to preserve this important piece of cultural heritage for future generations.