The British government announced on Tuesday that South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol will be visiting Britain this week, and as part of that visit, the two countries will sign a defence agreement to work together to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea.
According to Britain, the agreement will help strengthen ties between the South Korean and British navies in order to combat East China Sea smuggling, which aims to evade international sanctions.
The first state visit hosted by Britain since Charles’ coronation, Yoon’s visit will officially begin on Tuesday with a welcome from King Charles, where he will be greeted with a guard of honour and participate in a procession towards Buckingham Palace.
Yoon, a conservative who has called for deeper ties with allies due to a “polycrisis” of global issues, will speak to members of both houses of parliament on Tuesday. The following day, he will have discussions with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and sign the new agreement.
In a statement, Sunak stated that negotiations on a new free trade agreement (FTA) would begin on Wednesday. “Through our new Downing Street Accord, we will drive investment, boost trade and build a friendship that not only supports global stability, but protects our interests and lasts the test of time,” the statement read.
