
Yun Yat
Alias : At1
YUN Yat (1934-1997) was Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Training and Education, Minister of Propaganda, and Re-Education, and was in charge of both internal and external propaganda and re-education. She was murdered on Pol Pot’s orders alongside her husband, Son Sen, and family.
Explore the Khmer Rouge hierarchy to understand her role in the secretive system.

Key Findings
The Trial Chamber in Case 002/01 and Case 002/02 found that Yun Yat:
- Took control of the combined Ministry of Propaganda and Information and Ministry of Education in 1977. 9
- Was replaced at the Ministry of Propaganda in 1978, with Nuon Chea taking over her responsibilities. 10
- Attended political training sessions at Borei Keila with Pol Pot, Khieu Samphan, and Hu Nim, where Nuon Chea discussed Vietnamese-related spy networks. 11
Disclaimer
Yun Yat 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 her.
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
1937
Born.2
1975
Before 1975
Joined the Khmer Rouge communist movement at the time when Son Sen, along with Pol Pot and Ieng Sary, among others, fled the capital and took refuge at Office 100, originally a Vietnamese base on the border.3
1976
April
Became Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Training and Education, and Minister of Education.4
1979
Before 1979
Attended political training sessions at Borei Keila with Pol Pot, Khieu Samphan, and Hu Nim, where Nuon Chea discussed Vietnamese-related spy networks.7
1997
10 June
Murdered alongside Son Sen and members of her family, including their children, near Kbal Ansong, on Pol Pot’s orders.8
Related Documents
Closing Orders
- Case 002 Closing Order, D427: Part One, Factual Findings, I. Historical Background; and II. Administrative Structures.
Judgments
- Case 002/02 Judgment, E465: 3. Historical Background; 5. Administrative Structures.
- Case 001 Judgment, E188: 2. Factual and Legal Finding, 2.2.1. CPK Structure.
Evidence
- Geography Textbook of DK's Ministry of Education, E3/1398, p. 2.
- Statement of the Congress of the Standing Committee of the Assembly of the Kampuchean People's Representatives, the Government of DK, the Representatives of the DK National Army and the Representatives of Various Governmental, E3/1435
- General Assembly first session of representative assembly of Kampuchea People 11-13/4/76, E3/43, p. 22.
- Far Eastern Relations, President of Laos in Cambodia, 22 December 1977, E3/1406
- Far Eastern Relations, Teng Ying-Chao’s Visit to Cambodia, 18 January 1978, E3/1407
- Swedish Collection Document, 1978, E3/764.