Hun Sen: I Will Safeguard the Royal Family and Defend the Constitutional Monarchy

On October 24, Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen told a Senate meeting that he would continue to fulfil the sacred duty of safeguarding members of the royal family and defending the stability and continuity of the constitutional monarchy. Hun Sen recalled his close friendship with the late King Father, His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk. He recounted being treated as an adopted son by the King Father and Queen Mother Monineath, who affectionately called him a “special son,” during a visit to North Korea with the King Father. He said the experience became the foundation of his steadfast commitment to protecting the royal family and the constitutional system. He said he had sworn from that time to do everything possible to ensure the royal family’s safety and the continuity of the national system. Hun Sen recalled that, after the Paris Peace Agreements were signed, the King Father personally entrusted him with continuing to protect His Majesty the King’s safety and dignity. He also said Thailand had offered to help protect the King Father, but he rejected the proposal, stressing that responsibility for the royal family’s security must rest with Cambodians and that foreign forces should not interfere, in order to preserve national independence and sovereignty. Hun Sen also said that, after the agreements were signed, he personally travelled to Beijing to escort the King Father, Queen Mother and other royal family members home, witnessing the full restoration of the royal family’s place and symbolic significance in national political life. He stressed that defending the constitutional monarchy and ensuring the royal family’s safety were his long-term mission and an important responsibility in fulfilling his commitments to the nation and its people. Compiled report by this station