Wednesday October 1, 2025
Khmer Times —
Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) sees the Mekong countries, including Cambodia, as both a critical partner in Asean’s economic growth and a key player in Korea’s economic and diplomatic cooperation through abundant water resources, said its Chief Executive Officer Yun Seog-dae.
Speaking at the ‘Korea-Mekong Harmony Dialogue’ hosted by K-water in Seoul on Friday, Yun said, “We aim to further strengthen multilateral cooperation and advance sustainable water management strategies.”
Diplomats from five Mekong countries – Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand, were present on the occasion.
The dialogue reviewed past achievements and discussed measures for sustainable water management in response to climate challenges.
The Mekong River basin, home to around 250 million people and a major agricultural region, has faced threats such as floods, droughts and water pollution from climate change and industrialisation.
K-water has been supporting the region through the Korea-Mekong Water Center, established in 2021 under the “Mekong-Han River Declaration” adopted at the Korea-Mekong Summit in 2019.
K-water has carried out 16 cooperation projects, ranging from integrated water management systems to flood forecasting and warning solutions, while also hosting training programs and technical exchanges for Mekong officials.
In May 2024, K-water signed an agreement with the Korean Ministry of Environment and the Mekong River Commission on projects utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies.
K-water and MRC explore the introduction of digital twin-based systems that replicate upstream and downstream dam operations, enable AI-driven water treatment plants, and deploy smart water network management using the Internet of Things to reduce leakage and stabilise pipelines.
Early this year, Yun and his delegation met with Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh.
He briefed the Prime Minister on the fruitful cooperation between K-water and the relevant Cambodian ministries and institutions.
In response, Mr Hun Manet expressed his appreciation for the past collaboration between K-water and the Royal Government of Cambodia, particularly in the field of water resource management.
Mr Hun Manet encouraged K-water to continue working with relevant ministries and institutions to study water resource management in Cambodia in line with the Royal Government’s policies.
He emphasised the importance of a comprehensive assessment of the strengths and impacts of projects on society, the economy, and the environment.