Yoon: "Restarting Korea-UK FTA Revision Talks... Will Strengthen Supply Chain Cooperation"

Han-Young, Cooperation to Overcome Complex Crises as a Free Trade Economic Community

On the first day of President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the United Kingdom on the 20th (local time), he stated, "We will restart the revision negotiations of the Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to further strengthen the foundation of cooperation in supply chains and trade." As partners based on universal values such as freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, and as an economic community of free trade markets, Korea and the UK expressed their determination to cooperate in overcoming complex crises.

That afternoon, President Yoon held a meeting with the Korean community at a hotel in the UK and said, "We will significantly expand the scope of cooperation between the two countries into advanced science and technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), nuclear power, biotechnology, space, semiconductors, and clean energy." He especially emphasized, "Through this visit, Korea and the UK will newly establish a cooperative system in security sectors such as cybersecurity and the defense industry."

He also mentioned the important role of the Korean community in the UK for the development of Korea-UK relations. President Yoon said, "Today, the Korean community in the UK is active in various fields including trade, law, medicine, culture, and sports, increasing their contributions and influence in the local society," adding, "The number of Britons enjoying Korean popular culture is growing, and I understand that there are currently over 200 Korean restaurants in London alone."

President Yoon said, "I understand that recently King Charles III visited the New Malden area in London to experience Korean culture and meet with members of the Korean community. I am grateful for King Charles’s interest and affection for Korea and Korean culture," and added, "I ask that you continue to demonstrate greater capabilities in your respective fields, contribute and serve the British society more, and become a strong bridge connecting Korea and the UK."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon mentioned the Overseas Koreans Office, which was launched in June, saying, "I understand that there are 23 Korean language schools here in the UK dedicated to educating the next generation of the Korean community in Korean language, history, and culture," and promised, "The Overseas Koreans Office will also support the next generation of overseas Koreans growing up in the UK to maintain pride and confidence in their homeland, the Republic of Korea."

Attending the dinner were Bae Ji-young, advisor to the National Unification Advisory Council; Timothy Cho, former Conservative Party local election candidate; Kim Jong-soon, CEO of JS Holdings; Kim Seung-chul, president of the Korean Medical Association in the UK; Son Byung-kwon, chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council; Kim Sook-hee, president of the Federation of Korean Associations in the UK; Yoon Yeo-cheol, Ambassador to the UK; and Han Kyu-hoon, president of the Oxford Korean Association.

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