In 1949, following a raid on his village by French forces, Pauk joined the Khmer Issarak independence movement. In 1954, following the Geneva Conference and Cambodia's independence from France, Pauk emerged from the forest and was soon arrested.
In 1949, after a French military operation in his village, Pauk joined the Khmer Issarak liberation struggle. In 1954, following the Geneva Peace Conference and Cambodia's independence from France, Pauk re-emerged from the forest and was quickly apprehended.