South Korea’s Asiana Airlines has launched direct flights between Seoul and Phnom Penh amid a surge in South Korean tourists visiting Cambodia, according to the airline. Asiana Airlines President Kang Joo An told reporters that the new twice a week flights will help meet booming demand.

In 2004, 7,213 South Koreans visited Cambodia, and the number increased to 33,702 last year, with as many as 64,000 expected to visit this year, Kang said, adding that most of them are tourists.

Asiana Airlines launched its first direct flight from Seoul to Siem Reap, home of the Angkor Wat temple complex, in early 2005 with two flights per week.

According to tourism statistics, South Koreans topped the list of foreign visitors to Cambodia, followed by Japanese and Americans.

Cambodia and South Korea established diplomatic relations in 1997.
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