Han Tong Hack

Born in the family of a minor official in one of the districts of Kampongtyam province. He studied in Paris as a theatrical figure. Adjacent to the radical communist group of Khmer students in France , was closely acquainted with Paul Pot and Ieng Sari .

Returning to Cambodia, in 1951 Khan Tong Hak joined the Khmer Issarak anti-colonial rebels, led by Son Ngok Thanh ^[1] . Hiding in the forests of Siem Reap . Legalized in 1953 , shortly before the declaration of independence of Cambodia.

He completed his education at the Cambodian National Academy of Dramatic Art . He composed plays in the genre of historical drama ^[2] and political satire. Artistic means criticized authoritarianism and corruption of the Norodom Sihanouk regime . Good personal relations with Queen Sisovat Kossomak , the mother of Sihanouk, provided protection from censorship. In 1966 - 1970, Han Tong Hak served as rector of the Royal University of Fine Arts ^[3] .

Despite the Parisian ties of his student years, Han Tung Hak was convinced that he was a Republican and supporter of Song Ngok Thanh (although he held more leftist views). In 1970, supported the Republican coup . He was a member of the Social Republican Party of President Lon Nol . In October 1972, he was succeeded by Son Ngok Thani as Prime Minister of the Khmer Republic .

At the head of the government, Han Tong Hak held a more compromise position than Song Ngok Thanh. He tried to get in touch with Sihanouk and Khmer Rouge representative Hu Yun to agree on a political settlement. However, these attempts yielded no results and became the reason for the removal of Han Tun Hak in May 1973 ^[4] .

On April 1, 1975, amid a massive offensive by the Khmer Rouge, Lon Nol left Cambodia. State power in the Khmer Republic was taken by the Supreme Committee, which in recent days was headed by General Sak Sutsakan . This body also included Han Tong Hak.

Han Tong Haka was persuaded to leave Cambodia, but he refused to do so (his family was sent to the United States ). April 17, 1975 Phnom Penh was taken by the Khmer Rouge. Massacres began. Officials of the Khmer Republic were destroyed in the first place. The day after the fall of the capital, Han Tong Hak was killed.