Governor Kim Dong-yeon Draws Attention to 'Connection with the UK' on Occasion of Speech at Korea-UK Association Ceremony

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is delivering a congratulatory speech at the Korea-UK Association reception held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on the 30th of last month. Photo by Gyeonggi Provincial Government

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon attended the Korea-UK Association reception held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on the 30th of last month, invited by Colin Crooks, the British Ambassador to Korea, and delivered a congratulatory speech, drawing renewed attention to Kim’s connection with the UK.

Kim’s connection with the UK dates back to 2014. At that time, Kim, who was the Minister for Government Policy Coordination, asked then British Ambassador Scott Wightman to introduce British reform cases for 20 minutes in front of the president. This event led Kim to maintain a close friendship with Ambassador Wightman. Even after Wightman left Korea, Kim continued to maintain friendly relations with subsequent British ambassadors.

In fact, Charles Hay, who was appointed British Ambassador in 2015, visited Kim, who was then president of Ajou University, and suggested watching a performance of King Lear for Kim, who is fond of Shakespeare. The play was attended by Kim and Ajou University students. Later, as a return gesture, Kim invited the British ambassador to watch a 'Nanta' performance together with Ajou University students.

Kim’s ties with the UK have continued this year as well. On July 27, Kim met with the current British Ambassador Colin Crooks, who visited the Gyeonggi Provincial Office in Suwon, and they agreed to work together to expand exchanges related to climate change and carbon neutrality between Gyeonggi Province and the UK.

Through Ambassador Crooks’ introduction, on October 13, Kim discussed mutual cooperation measures to overcome the climate crisis and achieve carbon neutrality with Nigel Topping, the UN Climate Change Convention (COP26) Climate Action Champion. Additionally, on the 15th of last month, Kim met with Carlos Monreal, CEO of the British carbon reduction technology company Plastic Energy, and actively requested investment in Gyeonggi Province.

In his congratulatory speech that day, Kim said, "Gyeonggi Province is now becoming a mecca of future advanced industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), bio, and automobiles, where global leaders in semiconductors, information technology (IT), and the automotive industry are rushing to invest," and expressed expectations that "Gyeonggi Province and the UK will form an even closer relationship in the fields of climate change and carbon neutrality, as proposed by Ambassador Crooks."

He added, "There is an old saying, 'You have to taste pudding to know its flavor,'" and said, "The two countries seem to have already made many excellent puddings together. I believe that through continued cooperation, we will be able to share even greater achievements, like a delicious Christmas pudding."

The Korea-UK Association, which Kim attended that day at the invitation of British Ambassador Colin Crooks, is a private organization established in 1947 to promote private exchanges between Korea and the UK, with Ambassador Crooks serving as honorary chairman.

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