Cambodian retired King Norodom Sihanouk expressed his wish to keep his birthplace as a museum, local newspaper The Cambodia Daily reported on Thursday.

The property, the royal house 'Tak Sin Pi Rom' was loaned by Sihanouk to former leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Il Sung as a token of friendship and support.

"I offered His Excellency Marshall Kim Il Sung of DPRK, who supported me in everything and who I regarded as a sibling, the royal house 'Tak Sin Pi Rom' as the Embassy of DPRK," the former King said in his message posted on his website on Tuesday.

Sihanouk, 82, said he loaned the property to DPRK for 20-year period, and that in about eight to nine years the property would again belong to his family.

"When the 20 years end, I publicly declare that I offer the royal house to the state, the nation and Cambodian citizens as affiliated with the National Museum," the retired King wrote.

Norodom Sihanouk also called on the government never to sell or dismantle his birthplace.

Source: Xinhua