Kang Kek Iew

Kang Kek Iew, better known as Comrade Duch, was a Khmer Rouge Cambodian war criminal who orchestrated the execution of 12,272 men, women and children and oversaw the torture of countless others. Born to a Chinese family who immigrated to Cambodia, Duch excelled academically, earning a bachelors degree in mathematics, ranking second nationwide. After becoming a teacher he joined the Communist Party and aligned with the Khmer Rouge following the arrest of his students. Imprisoned by the Cambodian government, Duch was later released, but he reunited with the rebels. During his time with the Khmer Rouge, Duch rose to command of their prison system, personally overseeing the death of thousands. Following the Khmer Rouge's defeat by Vietnamese forces in 1979, Duch went into hiding, only for his identity to be exposed by a journalist 20 years later. But, while still in hiding, Duch formed a close bond with a Cambodia-born clergyman whom eventually baptized Duch. “He changed totally after receiving Christ - 180 degrees,” the clergyman shared . “He turned from hatred to love. He said he had never felt love in his childhood or when he grew up. So when he turned to Christ, love filled his heart.” Three decades after the collapse of the Khmer Rouge, Comrade Duch was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison. Duch died from COVID-19 complications at the age of 77 after serving only ten years of his sentence. This story raises profound theological questions for Christians: Can Jesus's forgiveness extend to someone like Comrade Duch, if his repentance was sincere, despite the enormity of his failures?