PHNOM PENH: The Khmer Boxing Federation (KBF) and the South Korean Boxing Federation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly promote the traditional martial arts identities of both nations — particularly Kun Khmer — to strengthen their international presence and development.
The signing ceremony took place in Seoul, South Korea, on Oct 27, with the MoU signed by Khov Chhay, KBF president, and Kim Jung Pyo, his South Korean counterpart.
Touch Thearat, first secretary of the embassy of Cambodia in South Korea, attended the signing ceremony as a guest of honour, according to a statement released by the KBF on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the federation, the MoU focuses on joint cooperation in athlete training, coach exchanges, and technical knowledge sharing between the two federations.
“Beyond that, both parties will collaborate in organizing Kun Khmer boxing events in Cambodia and Korea to help promote the ancient Khmer martial art, a treasured part of Cambodia’s cultural heritage, and to expand its reach and prestige both nationally and internationally,” it said.
Chhay previously emphasised the importance of building partnerships with more countries through MoUs and cooperative agreements — allowing Cambodian athletes to compete abroad and Khmer boxing coaches to train fighters in other nations.
In recent years, the federation has sent delegations to organise Kun Khmer matches in several countries, including the United States, Australia, France and Greece. Cambodia is also expanding cooperation with China to promote Kun Khmer through jointly organized events in both countries.
Notably, Cambodia and China recently signed an MoU to establish a Kun Khmer Training Institute in Cambodia in 2025, officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, to train human resources for Kun Khmer coaching — both domestically and internationally.
Chhay described the creation of the new institution as a historic moment.
“This marks a new historical chapter — establishing a formal foundation for Kun Khmer training through a joint investment between China and our federation. I believe this institute will enable us to train more human resources, including coaches and referees, to spread Kun Khmer across the world,” he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
