Cambodian Communities in Japan and South Korea Demand Global Action as Border Death Toll Rises to 20

TOKYO / CHANGWON (Dec. 21, 2025) — Cambodian communities across Japan and South Korea staged coordinated protests Sunday, urging urgent international intervention as the civilian death toll from cross border attacks against Cambodia continues to climb.

In Japan, about 300 Cambodians — including migrant workers and students — gathered in Tokyo, Osaka and Gifu to condemn what they called indiscriminate Thai military strikes on Cambodian territory.

Protesters carried banners demanding peace and accountability and submitted petitions to 20 institutions, including the embassies of the United States, China and Malaysia, the United Nations, the European Union, Japan’s Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the same time, more than 300 Cambodians in Changwon, South Korea, held a parallel demonstration, accusing Thai forces of brutal and inhumane acts using land, air and naval capabilities to violate Cambodia’s sovereignty.

The protests come as Cambodia’s Interior Ministry reported that since Dec. 7, Thai attacks have killed 20 civilians and injured 79 others. Officials said 525,236 people — including nearly 275,000 women and more than 167,000 children — have fled their homes, sheltering in makeshift camps after shelling, rocket fire and aerial bombardments.