A recent study highlights the significant impact of South Korea's Saemaul Undong (SMU) model on rural Cambodia. Implemented in Kampong Speu, Tboung Khmum, and Takeo provinces, the SMU approach is effectively modernizing communities and strengthening community leadership, especially in the context of decentralization and post-conflict reconstruction. The research, using a mixed-methods approach, found overwhelming community engagement, with nearly 99% of respondents wanting to continue participating. Statistical analysis revealed strong positive correlations between SMU training and key development indicators: women's leadership (r=0.896), community participation (r=0.862), and income generation (r=0.799). SMU Principle Training had the most substantial influence on these outcomes. This study is groundbreaking as it's one of the first to empirically link SMU training with leadership development, particularly genderinclusive leadership, in Cambodia. It suggests the SMU model could be integrated into national policy to promote sustainable rural development and good governance, offering a replicable model for other post-conflict or decentralized settings.