Jakarta, Indonesia, May 6 — Former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, became emotional while addressing an international forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 6, 2025, as he reflected on Cambodia’s tumultuous past and the devastating civil war that divided the nation. He spoke at a seminar on "Perspectives and Experiences of Peacebuilding Efforts in Cambodia," organized by the ASEAN and East Asia Economic Institute.
During his speech, Samdech Techo Hun Sen recounted the immense suffering caused by the prolonged conflict, where Cambodians fought and killed each other, resulting in a firestorm of devastation and the separation of families. He emphasized the arduous journey towards achieving peace and national unity, which ultimately paved the way for the country's present-day development.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen spoke about his "win-win policy," a strategy designed to end the civil war without further bloodshed and to unify the nation under a single constitution. He stated that the policy's success hinged on three main components: guaranteeing life, guaranteeing careers and occupations, and guaranteeing private property for former warring parties.
"It is not certain that the win-win policy and the experience of Cambodia can be replicated in other countries due to different situations," Samdech Techo Hun Sen noted, while adding the formula has allowed Cambodia to achieve the progress it sees today.
During the same address, Samdech Techo Hun Sen defended the late King Norodom Sihanouk’s decision to employ North Korean bodyguards after his return to Cambodia amid ongoing instability. Hun Sen explained that Sihanouk expressed concerns for his safety and requested foreign protection.
“On June 6, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk met me again. I asked him where he was. When the King Father was with him, he said, 'Your Excellency, protect me, be careful that the Khmer Rouge enter the palace and kill me,’” Samdech Techo Hun Sen recounted. “At that time, I thought, 'No, my strength can be maintained. In case you wish, choose foreign bodyguards, such as the French, please take them to help protect you. I will protect the outside, and they will work inside.' At that time, he said, 'No, I will take North Korea.’”
Samdech Techo Hun Sen further explained that the King Father himself had proposed the idea to the North Korean president, seeking guards, food inspectors, medical teams, and various other forms of support to ensure his safety. Samdech Techo Hun Sen asked that people not criticize King Sihanouk for this choice, given the delicate security situation at the time.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also disclosed plans to publish a book based on 48 hours of recorded video interviews documenting Cambodian history, which he described as containing details about peace negotiations, land reform, and internal matters within the Cambodian People's Party. He has distributed the videos to his children and trusted associates, with the intent for them to be published in the future. He emphasized that while his “win-win policy” may not be universally applicable, Cambodia's experience in achieving peace could offer valuable lessons to other nations grappling with conflict.
He said he had more secrets to share, and the video of 48 hours was only about some topics related to the history of Cambodia.
He also said the world, which is trying very hard to put out the flames of war, especially countries that are directly at war, should come and study Cambodia’s win-win policy, which is a unique and excellent formula for ending wars without losers.
