From Phnom Penh to Philadelphia, Part I: Before the Khmer Rouge

Chiny Ky

This is the first post in the series.

Chiny Ky, a teacher in the School District of Philadelphia, came to the United States from Cambodia in 1980 as a refugee from Khmer Rouge persecution. The Khmer Rouge, a Communist group aligned with China, overthrew the Cambodian government in 1975 and instituted a totalitarian regime in the country.

Citizens were forced to work in the countryside under arduous conditions. In addition, persecution and torture were widespread. The regime particularly targeted a number of groups, including educated people, ethnic Chinese, city-dwellers, and those with ties with the West. As members of the educated urban elite with partial Chinese ancestry and strong connections to American organizations, Ky’s family was the perfect target for the Khmer Rouge.

Ky spoke with us about his life before the arrival of the Khmer Rouge, his experiences in the Cambodian countryside during the period of their rule, his escape to Thailand, and his arrival in the United States.

In this first part of the series, Ky tells us about his life immediately before the arrival of the Khmer Rouge. He starts by elaborating on his family background. Listen now.

Next, he speaks about the arrival of the Khmer Rouge, and his attempt to escape the fighting. He also tells us about the nature of the Khmer Rouge fighters and the sectors of society that they considered to be their enemies. Listen now.