Thursday, November 24, 2011

North Korea to build cultural information centre for visitors in Siemreap


PHNOM PENH, Nov. 24, 2011 (PRU) – Cambodia has allowed the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to build a cultural information centre (or welcome centre) in Siemreap, the home of Angkor, as part of the government’s effort to attract more tourists.


In a meeting on Thursday, His Excellency Dr. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister, told the North Korean Ambassador H.E. Ri In Sok that Cambodia’s Apsara Authority is working with North Korean experts to build the centre, which will serve as a welcome centre for tourists who want information about Cambodia’s Angkorian history.

Officials of the Apsara Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siemreap are working with 60 Korean experts and concerned institutions to ensure that the building design will feature the cultural values of both Cambodia and Korea.

The building, 70 metres in diameter and 124 metres in height, will be decorated with artistic works and drawings. Korean officials say that the world’s biggest artistic drawing will be displayed at the centre.

Dr. Sok An, who is also Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers, told the Ambassador that the centre will represent not only the image of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea but also the good bilateral relations of the two Asian nations.

The outgoing North Korean Ambassador Ri In Sok, who is leaving Cambodia on November 26 after a four-year term, told Dr. Sok An that North Korea wants unification with South Korea as soon as possible.

The Ambassador was grateful to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Royal Government of Cambodia as a whole for facilitating his diplomatic mission in Cambodia.

“I am pleased with the bilateral cooperation. I am pleased with the tremendous progress made by Cambodia over the past years”, said Ambassador Ri In Sok in the meeting.

The Ambassador said the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea continues its good relations with the Royal Government of Cambodia thanks to the diplomatic legacy of the relations between His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk, now retired, and the late Kim Il-Sung, leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.