Seoul: South Korea on Friday urged Thailand and Cambodia to peacefully resolve an escalating armed conflict along their borders through dialogue amid renewed tensions between the Southeast Asian countries over their longstanding territorial dispute. At least 14 Thais have been killed and dozens of its soldiers and civilians wounded in exchanges of gunfire, shelling, and rocket fire that began Thursday in the long-disputed border areas.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean government expressed deep concern over the armed clash between Thailand and Cambodia. The government extended condolences and sympathy to the victims and their bereaved families through a commentary by ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong. He urged both Thailand and Cambodia to ease tensions and resolve the situation peacefully through dialogue.
Thailand and Cambodia have often clashed over their shared land border. This dispute remains unresolved due to competing territorial claims dating back to the French colonial era.