Cambodia Denies Thai Media Report on Water Project Suspension, Reaffirms Ties with South Korea

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.20, 2025) — Cambodia’s Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) on Saturday rejected a report by The Nation Thailand, calling it misleading and unethical. The article, published Oct. 19, claimed that South Korea had halted its water-management support project in Cambodia.

In an official statement, MISTI refuted the report’s assertion that cooperation with South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) had been suspended.

“The cooperation between MISTI and STEPI remains active and uninterrupted,” the ministry said. “All technical collaboration, including work on the Industrial Innovation Cluster study, is ongoing and proceeding constructively.”

MISTI accused the Thai outlet of misrepresenting photos from a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony to suggest a breakdown in relations.

“This is a serious breach of journalistic ethics,” the statement said. “The Nation Thailand’s use of official images to imply the collaboration was affected is irresponsible and misleading, and harms the reputation of the Cambodian government.”

The ministry described the report as a deliberate attempt to distort facts and undermine Cambodia’s international partnerships, particularly its longstanding relationship with South Korea.

“MISTI continues to value its partnership with the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, based on mutual trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to advancing science, technology and innovation for sustainable development,” the statement said

The ministry urged the public and media outlets to verify information through credible sources and refrain from spreading misinformation.