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Kang Chap

Alias : Sae, Chan Sam,1 Chab,2 Chann Sam, Se3

KANG Chap (1923-1978) was Deputy Secretary of the Southwest Zone, Secretary of Autonomous Sector 106, Secretary of the new North Zone (Zone 801), and Chairman of the Judicial Committee of the People’s Representative Assembly. He was detained at S-21 and subsequently executed.

Explore the Khmer Rouge hierarchy to understand his role in the secretive system.

Key Findings

The Trial Chamber in Case 002/02 found that Kang Chap:
  • Was a member of a joint criminal enterprise with CPK leaders with the common purpose to “implement rapid socialist revolution through a ‘great leap forward’ and defend the Party against internal and external enemies, by whatever means.” 14
  • Was a senior CPK leader despite not being a member of the Standing Committee, having taken part in regular meetings where matters of the political line, foreign affairs, commerce and trade, national defence, social affairs, and economic affairs including agricultural production were discussed. 15
  • In his role as secretary of the new North Zone, held meetings concerning the implementation of the CPK’s political line and attended meetings with other senior leaders where the Party line was discussed and decided upon in his role as Secretary of the new North Zone. 16
  • Brought a large group of Southwest Zone cadres with him to continue the purge of the new North Zone that began under of Ke Pauk’s supervision and reported directly to the Party Centre (including Nuon Chea). 17

Disclaimer

Kang Chap (Sae) was not a suspect, charged person, or accused in any proceedings before the ECCC. Therefore, the findings of the Extraordinary Chambers cannot be equated to findings of guilt against him.

Some information may be sourced from confessions which were obtained under torture. The reliability of such information should be treated with caution. See Decision on Evidence Obtained Through Torture.

Drag

1923

Born.4

1974

June
Met other Communist Party of Kampuchea (“CPK”) leaders in Meak village in Prek Kok commune to discuss plans for the final assault and evacuation of Phnom Penh and other urban centres.6

1976

April
Appointed as Chairman of the Judicial Committee of the People’s Representative Assembly.7
May
Represented the Southwest Zone in border negotiations with Vietnam.8

1977

Before 1977
Was Deputy Secretary of the Southwest Zone and Secretary of Sector 35 until he left for the Central Zone.5
February
Transferred from his position as Deputy Secretary of the Southwest Zone to assist Ke Pauk with the administration of Sector 106, which was combined with Sector 103 to form the new North Zone (Zone 801) in mid-1977.9
Late 1977
Appointed as Secretary of the new North Zone by Nuon Chea and regularly reported to Office 870 by telegram about the enemy situation in Sectors 106 and 103.10

1978

17 April
Travelled to Phnom Penh to send two officials from Sector 103 and their documents to Pol Pot.11
Around 22 August 1978
Arrested and sent to S-21.12
30 October
Executed at S-21.13