Officials from the National Authority for Preah Vihear (NAPV) and deminers of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) on August 11 inspected the land around Koh Ker temple in Preah Vihear province and examined maps of the area in preparation for carrying out mine clearance operations in 2023.

Pheng Samoeun, deputy director of NAPV – who oversee the Koh Ker temple – noted the importance of making the core protected area of the temple free of mines.

“As a result of our studies and inspection on the grounds, a CMAC team will help clear landmines and explosive remnants of war at the priority locations that NAPV had requested help with at Koh Ker. CMAC will add those areas into their national mine clearance for 2023 and the following years,” the NAPV said.

Cambodia has stepped up mine clearance in an attempt to reach its stated goal of a mine free Cambodia by 2025.