Cambodia's long-serving prime minister
In 1979, at the age of 26, he became Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, the world's youngest foreign minister.
A Cambodian politician and former military officer. He joined the Khmer Rouge in 1970 and served as a battalion commander before defecting in 1977 to fight alongside Vietnamese forces. After the regime fell in 1979 he became Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, and in 1985 succeeded Chan Sy as Prime Minister. He remained in power for decades and now serves as president of the Senate and acting head of state.
Career Timeline
- 1970Joined the Khmer Rouge
- 1979Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of Kampuchea
- 1985Became Prime Minister
- 1993Second Prime Minister
- 1998Prime Minister after consecutive CPP election victories
- 2023Stepped down as prime minister