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The General has announced that Salvation Army work has been officially established in the Kingdom of Cambodia, with effect from 22 November 2012, taking the total number of countries in which the Army has officially recognised work to 126.
The potential for Salvation Army work in Cambodia has been a topic of conversation at International Headquarters since 2008, when the Korea Territory first expressed an interest in exploring the possibility of mission outreach there. A short-term ministry programme to Cambodia was commenced by a small team from the Korea Territory in 2009. A member of that team, Young People’s Sergeant Major Kim, Hong-soo, returned to Cambodia some time later and commenced a ministry with some university students in Phnom Penh.
During the 95th corps anniversary celebrations at Ah Hyun Corps in the Seoul Division of the Korea Territory, a Declaration of Vision was made, one aspect of which was a commitment to plant a corps in Cambodia.
While the short-term ministry was under way, various other aspects, such as legal registration of The Salvation Army in the Kingdom of Cambodia, were being pursued and have now been completed.
The official opening was conducted by Commissioners Park, Man-hee and Kim, Keum-nyeo (territorial leaders, Korea Territory) in Phnom Penh on Thursday 22 November. They were accompanied by a group of 45 officers and soldiers from the Korea Territory. The officers appointed in charge of the new work are Captain Shin, Jin-kyun and Captain Lim, Hyang.
The inaugural meeting was attended by civic dignitaries (including the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia) together with local church and business leaders.
