Cleverly UK Foreign Secretary "Truly Moved by President Yoon and Spouse's Attendance at State Funeral"

Korea-UK Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue Held

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] James Cleverly, the UK Foreign Secretary, who visited Korea just three weeks after taking office, expressed on the 28th that he was "truly moved" by President Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife’s visit to the UK to attend the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Before holding the Korea-UK Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue with Foreign Minister Park Jin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul that morning, Secretary Cleverly stated in his opening remarks, "It is very meaningful to us that such a high-level delegation from Korea came to London."

"I would like to once again express my condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II," he said, "and I am grateful that the British royal family and government warmly welcomed our President who attended the state funeral."

He added, "The Korean government and people have warm memories of the Queen, who was the first British monarch to visit Korea and showed special interest in the Korean people and culture." Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Korea in April 1999 at the invitation of then-President Kim Dae-jung and visited Hahoe Village in Andong, Gyeongbuk.

Secretary Cleverly, appointed on the 6th of this month, visited Korea after attending the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

Ministers Park and Cleverly also emphasized that Korea and the UK are blood allies who fought together to protect freedom and democracy during the Korean War.

The two also discussed the direction of bilateral relations, which will mark the 140th anniversary of exchanges next year, as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and major regional issues, and cooperation on the international stage.

Secretary Cleverly said, "The close cooperative relationship between our two countries has been a mutually beneficial partnership, and there are many issues to discuss today to strengthen bilateral relations. There is no doubt that our relationship will continue to thrive."

Minister Park also explained, "The two countries are optimal partners in addressing global challenges such as climate change and economic security. We hope to communicate closely going forward to enhance bilateral cooperation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.