[Full Text] Yoon: "Korea and Yeong to Closely Cooperate and Respond to Challenges"... Speech at the Yeong Parliament

During his state visit to the United Kingdom, President Yoon Suk-yeol urged on the 21st (local time) that "Korea and the UK, which have written a dynamic history of creation, must closely unite and respond together to many challenges in the world."

In his speech at the British Parliament in Westminster Palace, London, on the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon quoted the historian Arnold Toynbee's famous saying that "civilization is born and develops through a process of repeated challenge and response."

This speech by President Yoon, titled 'A friendship to turn our challenges to pure opportunity,' was delivered in English for about 30 minutes. The Presidential Office explained that the title of the speech was inspired by a phrase from William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

In his speech, President Yoon mentioned the past, present, and future of Korea-UK relations on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties and called for close cooperation. He also emphasized that the two countries must work together to address the global complex crises, digital and climate crisis gaps.

Full text of President Yoon’s speech at the UK Parliament

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Honorable Speaker of the House of Lords, Speaker of the House of Commons,

Members of both Houses of Parliament, distinguished guests, and the people of the United Kingdom,

I am deeply honored to stand here in the British Parliament, the 'Mother of Parliaments.'

The United Kingdom has been a pioneer in modern world history. It laid the cornerstone of liberal democracy and blossomed the market economy order.

The British people's belief that individual freedom is priceless gave birth to parliamentary democracy through the Glorious Revolution.

The establishment of parliamentary democracy in the UK spread to political revolutions in countries including the United States and France, and democratic politics guaranteeing freedom and human rights took root worldwide.

From the late 18th century, the Industrial Revolution led by the UK achieved unprecedented rapid economic growth through innovations in production methods and economic paradigms.

In this regard, it is not surprising that London became the global financial center from the early 19th century.

The UK has greatly influenced the expansion of human freedom and human rights, as well as remarkable growth and prosperity, by leading and spreading liberal democracy and market capitalism worldwide.

I am well aware that the core driving this great United Kingdom is the British Parliament.

Members of Parliament,

Korea was the first European country to establish diplomatic relations with the UK by signing the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1883.

John Ross, a missionary from Scotland, translated the New Testament into Korean for the first time in 1887, and Earnest Bethell, a journalist from Bristol, founded the Daehan Maeil Sinbo in 1904 and led Korea's independence movement until his death at age 36.

Frank Schofield, a missionary and veterinarian from Warwickshire who came to Korea in 1916, also led the independence movement, established a scholarship foundation, and cared for those in need.

In 1950, the UK did not hesitate to defend the freedom of the Republic of Korea.

When the fate of Korea was on the brink due to the communist invasion, the UK dispatched 80,000 troops, the second largest number in the world, and over a thousand young soldiers sacrificed their lives to protect the freedom of a distant nation they did not even know.

The Gloucestershire 1st Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Carne, distinguished itself in the Battle of Seolmari at the Imjin River.

As the Gloucestershire Regiment's motto says, "We are remembered by our deeds," the noble sacrifice of the British forces will remain forever in the memories of Koreans.

Today, we have with us Mr. Colin Thackery, a Korean War veteran and Honorary Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea.

Mr. Thackery was also the winner of Britain's Got Talent in 2019.

Where are you?

On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Korea, I express our deep gratitude and infinite respect.

In July this year, marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice, Mr. Thackery revisited Busan, where he first arrived during the Korean War, and sang a moving song for his comrades resting at the UN Memorial Cemetery there.

He sang the Korean folk song "Arirang," which touched everyone's hearts. Korea, left in ashes by the war, desperately needed international assistance.

The UK did not turn its back on us this time either. It contributed the second largest amount of $26.84 million to the United Nations Korean Reconstruction Agency (UNKRA) and greatly supported Korea’s foundation as a newly industrialized country by assisting the Ulsan shipyard, Kori Nuclear Power Plant, and the establishment of Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology.

With the help of the UK and the free world, the Republic of Korea has written a miraculous success story.

A country once among the poorest has become an economic and cultural powerhouse leading semiconductors, digital technology, and cultural content.

We have transformed from a recipient of aid to a donor country.

Members of Parliament,

This year, marking the 140th anniversary of Korea-UK diplomatic relations, will be a turning point for a new leap in bilateral relations. This spring, British forces participated for the first time in the Korea-US joint military exercises, and new systems for information sharing and cybersecurity cooperation between Korea and the UK are being established.

Together with the UK, we will respond to North Korea’s WMD threats and strengthen cooperation against international cybercrimes such as cryptocurrency theft and technology hacking.

Trade and investment between our two countries have been active across finance, distribution, services, and biotechnology, and have been further invigorated since the Korea-UK FTA came into effect in 2021.

We will begin negotiations to improve the Korea-UK FTA to strengthen cooperation in supply chains and digital trade.

Based on the 'Korea-UK Accord' to be signed during this state visit, our two countries will be reborn as true “global strategic partners.”

We will work with the UK to create a more open and free international order.

And together with the UK, we will build sustainable growth and prosperity for humanity.

The scope of cooperation between our two countries will greatly expand into digital and AI, cybersecurity, nuclear power, defense industry, biotechnology, space, semiconductors, offshore wind power, clean energy, and maritime sectors.

I ask for the deep interest and support of all the members of Parliament present here.

Honorable members,

And the people of the United Kingdom, we now face new challenges.

The international community is divided in the face of geopolitical risks such as the Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and North Korea’s nuclear threats.

Gaps in supply chains, climate response, and digital sectors are exacerbating economic disparities between countries. Historian Arnold Toynbee said that civilization is born and develops through a process of repeated challenge and response.

Korea and the UK, which have written a dynamic history of creation, must closely unite and respond together to many challenges in the world.

Peace cannot be maintained alone. Korea will stand with the UK and the international community to fight against illegal invasions and provocations and uphold international norms and order.

Korea will join forces with the UK to strengthen political and economic security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Also, Korea and the UK will promote the expansion of clean energy including nuclear power and support green energy transitions in climate-vulnerable countries.

The advent of the digital age presents new challenges to our freedom and democracy.

Digital technologies including AI must contribute solely to expanding human freedom and welfare.

To prevent harm caused by AI and digital technologies that transcend borders and have immediacy, universally accepted norms applicable to the international community must be established.

Prime Minister Sunak is demonstrating strong leadership in establishing a new AI order for the digital age.

Earlier this month, the world’s first AI summit was held at Bletchley Park, and I also participated via video conference.

The Korean government announced the 'Digital Bill of Rights' in September, containing five principles: freedom, fairness, safety, innovation, and solidarity.

The Korean government aims to lead international communication and cooperation for establishing AI digital norms by closely cooperating with the UK’s proposals and the United Nations’ initiatives.

We will also double support to reduce the digital divide and promote digital innovation.

Our two countries share a proud history of challenge and response and also possess cultural and artistic appeal.

If the UK has The Beatles, Queen, Harry Potter, and David Beckham’s right foot, Korea has BTS, Blackpink, Squid Game, and Son Heung-min’s right foot.

Winston Churchill said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.”

Now is the time for our two countries to contribute as creative partners for a better future for humanity.

We will join forces to promote freedom, peace, and prosperity in the international community.

I am pleased and honored to speak today at the UK Parliament about the future that the UK and Korea will build together. I will conclude by quoting a phrase from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

“Our friendship shall bring happiness, and turn the challenges we face into opportunities.”

I pray for God’s blessing upon the great United Kingdom and its people. Thank you.

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