Yoon Returns Home After State Visit to UK and Expo Bidding in France

5-Night 7-Day Official Visit to the UK and Conclusion of Activities for Hosting the 2030 World Expo in Busan

President Yoon Suk-yeol returned home on the 26th after a 5-night, 7-day state visit to the United Kingdom and activities to promote Busan's bid for the 2030 World Expo in France.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon returned via Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, through Seongnam Airport, accompanied by his wife, First Lady Kim Keon-hee.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, returning home after state visits to the United Kingdom and France, arrived at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 26th aboard Air Force One and shook hands with Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Interior and Safety, who came to greet them.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon was invited as the first state guest following the coronation of King Charles III and visited London, UK, for 3 nights and 4 days from the 20th to the 23rd, elevating Korea-UK diplomatic relations.

In particular, he secured the 'Downing Street Accord,' which strengthens cooperation in the fields of security, science and technology, economy, and a sustainable future. This includes the establishment of a 2+2 meeting between foreign and defense ministers, joint exercises, maritime joint patrols, and other defense and security areas. With the signing of the Korea-UK strategic cyber partnership, it is expected to be effective in enhancing deterrence against North Korea. They also agreed to join forces to overcome global crises such as the North Korean issue, the Ukraine war, and the Middle East situation.

From the 23rd, President Yoon moved to Paris, France, to conduct a final campaign for the 2030 Busan Expo bid. This visit to France was his second, following attendance at the 172nd General Assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) in June. During his schedule in Paris, President Yoon invited the BIE delegation to actively promote the vision for the 2030 Expo, South Korea's global contributions, and leadership in international harmony. Since the BIE delegation is selected from ambassadors to France, ambassadors to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), or UNESCO ambassadors, President Yoon conducted tailored events accordingly.

Additionally, President Yoon held a one-on-one Korea-France summit meeting with President Emmanuel Macron over breakfast, reaffirming the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. The Korea-France summit between President Yoon and President Macron took place five months after President Yoon's visit to Paris in June. A senior official from the presidential office stated, "Korea-France summit meetings always occur at the active request of the other party," and added, "We are currently promoting President Macron's state visit to Korea at an appropriate time next year."

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