The Story Behind the Return

This repatriation (the return of items to their home country) comes after several years of discussions. It is part of the Ministry’s ongoing work to find and reclaim Cambodian cultural items that were lost or stolen over the years.

Dr. Zelnik, who is now in his seventies, has spent decades collecting art from across Asia, including Khmer art. In the early 2000s, he set up the Hungarian Southeast Asian Institute. Through this Institute, and with Dr. Zelnik’s funding, significant research has been done at the ancient sites of Angkor and Koh Ker, including using modern scanning technology (LIDAR). This research also helped Cambodia successfully apply to have Koh Ker added to the World Heritage List.

What Is Coming Back?

The collection being returned to Cambodia is significant. It includes:

• 183 pieces of Khmer silk textiles—a remarkable group that will greatly boost the National Museum’s existing textile collection.
• Prehistoric artifacts like coins, beads, jewelry, and items made of precious metals, bronze, stone, and clay.

The Ministry noted that many of these objects were looted (stolen) from Cambodia during the civil war decades ago. The return also includes other important pieces, such as stone and bronze objects from both the time before Angkor and the Angkor period.

READ MORE: What Makes Angkor a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Gratitude and A Call to Action

The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts expressed its deep gratitude to Dr. István Zelnik for his commendable decision. Dr. Zelnik has a history of goodwill, having previously returned other Khmer artifacts and greatly contributing to Cambodia’s cultural preservation through supporting archaeological research and publishing scholarly books.

H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts, stated that the peace and political stability achieved in Cambodia have allowed the country to reclaim its history and its treasures. She thanked both the former Prime Minister, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and the current Prime Minister, Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, for their unwavering support in protecting and promoting Cambodian culture.

The Ministry also thanked the team, particularly Mr. Bradley J. Gordon and his associates, for their active help in researching, identifying, and negotiating the return of these lost properties.

An Example to Follow

The Ministry views this voluntary return as an example that others should follow. They are encouraging all private collectors and institutions worldwide that have Cambodian artifacts to cooperate with the Royal Government. This can be done through the Ministry or Cambodian embassies abroad, to help bring Khmer cultural property back to its homeland.

The press release concluded by stating that the Royal Government considers the return of Khmer cultural heritage a noble and honorable gesture. It reflects a strong ethical responsibility to safeguard a nation’s identity and contributes meaningfully to preserving the world’s shared cultural history.

READ MORE: Cambodia UNESCO World Heritage List

The post Treasure Returns Home: Hungarian Collector Gives Back Ancient Khmer Art appeared first on អរគុណសន្តិភាព.

The commendation was delivered by the delegation, led by H.E. Kim Seok-Ki, Member of the National Assembly and Chair of the Foreign Affairs and National Unification Committee, during a field visit to former scam operation sites on October 23, 2025.

On-Site Inspection and Evidence Review

The Korean lawmakers visited the Sopheakmit Residence in Bati district, Takeo province, which previously served as the headquarters for an online scam network before being recently shut down by Cambodian authorities.

During their inspection, the delegation observed Cambodian law enforcement teams conducting evidence analysis on a massive cache of electronics confiscated from prior operations. The seized materials included 272 desktop computers, 44 CPUs, 44 monitors, nine laptops, 1,305 mobile phones, and two iPads.

The South Korean lawmakers acknowledged the Royal Government’s strong commitment and effective inter-agency cooperation in investigating and dismantling these criminal enterprises. They specifically lauded the determination and effective actions of Cambodian authorities in suppressing online fraud, underscoring the government’s firm stance against transnational cybercrime.

Bilateral Cooperation and Repatriation

H.E. Kim Seok-Ki also expressed appreciation for Cambodia’s swift facilitation of the repatriation of South Korean nationals who were either victims of or involved in the scams.

Extending thanks to Cambodian law enforcement, H.E. Kim urged continued joint efforts to apprehend offenders and provide timely assistance to South Korean victims. He affirmed his intention to share the positive findings of the visit upon his return to Seoul, pledging to encourage the Korean police to strengthen cooperation with their Cambodian counterparts to prevent the recurrence of such online fraud.

Aligning with National Campaign

The visit to Takeo followed a stop on October 22, 2025, at the former scam site known as the “Seh Sar Building” in Phnom Penh. An operation conducted there in July 2025 led to the arrest of 57 South Korean suspects, 29 Chinese suspects, and several Cambodian nationals, along with significant seizures of digital equipment.

These large-scale crackdowns are part of a nationwide campaign against cyber scams launched by Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet. On July 14, 2025, the Prime Minister issued a nine-point directive requiring strict and responsible enforcement by provincial governors, police commissioners, and relevant ministries, emphasizing that non-compliance would lead to reassignment or removal from office.

Cambodian authorities have vowed to pursue the strictest legal action, without exception, against all masterminds and individuals involved in technology-based fraud cases.

The post South Korean Parliamentary Delegation Commends Cambodia’s Decisive Crackdown on Cyber Scams appeared first on អរគុណសន្តិភាព.