Korean Media: Thailand Uses South Korean T-50 Bombers, Cambodians Hold Protests Condemning the South Korean Ministry of Defense

Recently, Cambodians living in South Korea claimed that weapons exported by South Korea to Thailand were used to bomb Cambodia, and they held demonstrations condemning the government of the Republic of Korea.

On the 28th, at the War Memorial in Seoul's Yongsan District, Cambodians living in South Korea held a rally and submitted a petition to the South Korean Ministry of Defense.

They argued that during Thailand's bombing of Cambodia on the 24th, it used the supersonic advanced trainer aircraft T-50TH (KAI) developed and exported by the Korea Aerospace Industries, which violated their territory and killed civilians. They also stated that the South Korean government and National Assembly should condemn Thailand's misuse of training military equipment for actual combat attacks.

They said, "The weapons sold by South Korea are being used to invade Cambodia, and Cambodia hopes for peace."

When France colonized Cambodia in 1907, it first mapped the 817 km border line, but Thailand and Cambodia have had more than 100 years of sovereignty disputes over the unclear sections of the border. Recently, the war has flared up again, with at least 101 deaths in both countries in December alone, and more than 500,000 people displaced.

At around 10 a.m. on the 24th, the day before Christmas, the Royal Thai Air Force sent South Korean-made T-50THs to drop four bombs on targets in the Banan area of Battambang province in Cambodia. In response, a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Air Force explained, "It attacked weapons storage facilities in the Sapha mountain area of Battambang province." According to the professional military media "Asia Defense Security," citing statements from high-ranking Thai air force officials, the T-50TH has been transferred from a "training platform" to a "combat mission platform" and is now in operational status.

On the 27th, after 20 days of fighting, the two countries reached an agreement to cease hostilities. Both sides agreed to freeze troop deployments and refrain from provocative actions that could escalate tensions. However, Bloomberg reported that a Thai military official warned, "If Cambodia violates the ceasefire conditions, the Thai military is prepared to respond."

Source: Chosun Ilbo

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852903268724939/

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