[News Terms] The 'Yeongbang' Spotlighted by Charles III's Coronation

The 'Commonwealth of Nations' is an association of countries that were once colonies, protectorates, or dominions under British colonial rule during the era of the British Empire.

Since the 19th century, countries such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, which regained autonomy after breaking away from British colonies, formed a union of nations. After World War II, as most British colonies in Asia and Africa gained independence, the Commonwealth transformed from a group of countries united by loyalty to the monarch into an international cooperative organization linked by historical ties with the United Kingdom. Accordingly, the name was changed in 1949 from the 'British Commonwealth' to the 'Commonwealth of Nations.'

On the 6th (local time), the golden carriage carrying Charles III is entering Buckingham Palace.
[Photo by London/Yonhap News]

The Commonwealth operates as a friendly association of countries based on customs without formal agreements or international legal binding. It does not interfere in domestic or diplomatic affairs but occasionally speaks with one voice. The British monarch and the heads of Commonwealth countries hold a summit every two years, and the 'Commonwealth Games,' an Olympic-style event among Commonwealth countries, is held every four years.

The Commonwealth consists of 56 countries, including the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Malta, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Canada, Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand, and Samoa. Among these, 16 countries, including the UK, recognize Charles III as their monarch, and nominally, governors appointed with the approval of the UK govern these countries. These countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu.

In the case of Canada, the leading country of the Commonwealth, the Canadian monarch is Charles III, the British monarch. The Governor General of Canada, appointed by the British monarch to represent the monarch and govern the country, is a ceremonial position without real power. Mary Simon assumed office as the 30th Governor General in July 2021, with a term of five years. The actual governance of Canada is carried out by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Similarly, in New Zealand, Charles III is the monarch, and the Governor-General is Dame Cindy Kiro, of Maori descent, who took office in October 2021. The head of government is Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. On the 6th (local time), the coronation of King Charles III of the United Kingdom was held. Attention is focused on what changes will occur in the Commonwealth during the era of Charles III compared to the era of Queen Elizabeth II.

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