President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea recently embarked on a three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, where he focused on strengthening trade and defense ties between the two countries. The visit was of particular interest to Britain as it aimed to solidify its “Indo-Pacific tilt” in foreign and trade policy.
During his visit, Yoon received various forms of ceremonial and diplomatic treatment, including a ceremonial welcome with military honor guards, a speech to Parliament, and a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. His talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak covered trade, technology, and defense, with the two countries officially launching discussions on an “upgraded” free trade agreement.
Since leaving the European Union in 2020, the UK has been actively pursuing trade talks with multiple countries, with agreements finalized only with Australia and New Zealand thus far. The two leaders are also expected to sign an agreement covering cooperation in defense and technology, including artificial intelligence.
The UK plans to invest in South Korean semiconductor manufacturing as part of international efforts to diversify the supply of computer components. Additionally, the two countries will boost defense cooperation by implementing joint naval patrols to enforce UN sanctions on North Korea.
The agreements made during Yoon’s visit are expected to drive investment, boost trade, and build a long-term friendship between the UK and South Korea.