Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Mission to the International Maritime Organization

It is my great honour and privilege to serve as the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UK, which is the cradle of parliamentary democracy, the country of Shakespeare and the Beatles and the host of the Premier League and the Wimbledon Tennis Championship.

Our relationship began in 1883 when the UK became the second Western power to conclude an agreement with Korea when the two countries signed the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation. I greatly look forward to celebrating the 140th anniversary of this event which will occur in 2023 during my time in London.

But it was during the Korean War that our modern relationship was truly forged. The UK sent the second largest contingent of troops, more than 80,000 men, to ward off communist aggression, and, in so doing, they helped lay the foundations for the country Korea has become today. The courage and sacrifice of those troops is commemorated by the Gloucester Valley Battle Monument in Paju, Korea, and the Korean War Memorial in Victoria Embankment Gardens alongside the river Thames.

The bilateral relationship has now blossomed into a bond between very like-minded countries who share common values including freedom, human rights and a commitment to the rule of law. Our bilateral ties have gone from strength to strength since 1883 and, today, our two countries work more closely than ever on issues affecting international relations, economics, culture, science and education among many other areas.

As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and as a key member of NATO, the G7, the G20 and the Commonwealth, the UK has been playing a leading role on issues including regional security in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and global issues such as sustainable development and climate change.

In 2022, our two leaders concluded the ‘Republic of Korea-UK Bilateral Framework for Closer Cooperation’ in global public goods, trade, defence and security areas among others. The framework will be the foundation to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in additional areas such as economic security, new technology, nuclear energy and climate change.

Furthermore, we will continue to work together towards the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue and the establishment of a lasting peace on the Korean peninsula.

The Free Trade Agreement between Korea and the UK came into effect in 2021 and we are set to start negotiations for an enhanced deal within this year, ensuring a stable economic partnership between the two countries and enabling many Korean companies in diverse sectors such as finance, automobiles, home electronics, petroleum and gas, shipbuilding, marine transport and distribution to continue conducting business in the UK.

Furthermore, followed by the establishment of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in July 2021, the Republic of Korea has successfully been elected as a member of the Category (a) Council group of the IMO for the 11th consecutive term at the 32nd session of the IMO Assembly held in London on December 10th 2021. As a Council Member, we will continue to contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships and establishing global standards for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).

British people‘s growing interest in Korean culture can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum’s ‘Hallyu! The Korean Wave’ exhibition which will continue until June 2023. This interest in Korea is expanding to include Korean language, Korean food, and Korean culture in general. The Korean Cultural Centre, located next to Trafalgar Square, seeks to meet that interest and create opportunities for young Korean and British people to foster a mutual understanding of each other through a variety of cultural events.

As our bilateral relationship becomes stronger, the Korean community, estimated to number around 40,000 in the UK, will be able to find more opportunities to grow as well. The Embassy will continue to strive to promote the safety and interests of Korean nationals residing in or visiting the UK.

During my time in London I will do my utmost to open up a new era of even stronger partnership between Global Britain and a Global Korea. It is an opportunity I am looking forward to immensely and I seek your kind interest and support to this end.

Thank you.