[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The already strained relationship between the UK and France following Brexit (the UK's withdrawal from the EU) is deteriorating further due to a dispute over the migrant boat tragedy in the English Channel.
On the 25th (local time), according to major foreign media, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron clashed head-on over the responsibility for the incident in which a migrant boat capsized in the English Channel, resulting in the deaths of 27 migrants.
Prime Minister Johnson blamed France, saying that "France's efforts were insufficient" as they refused joint coastal patrols, while French Interior Minister G?rald Darmanin countered by pointing to problems with the UK's immigration policies, leading to a confrontation.
After attending an emergency security meeting convened immediately following the incident, Johnson told the British media that France's efforts to stop migrant boats were inadequate and placed responsibility on France. He said, "It is difficult to persuade partners," targeting France and demanding that they accept the proposal for joint coastal patrols, but claimed that the problem arose because France did not accept it.
In response, President Macron issued a statement the next day, warning that the UK shares joint responsibility and urging the UK to cooperate actively and not to exploit the situation for political purposes.
Foreign media analyzed that, although the UK and France superficially promised joint action, the conflict over responsibility for the incident is deepening the rift between the two countries. G?rard Fran?ois Dumont, an economist and demographer, said, "This accident was a foreseeable man-made disaster, as both the UK and France were passive in dealing with migrants."
Since Brexit tightened entry standards into the UK, the number of migrants choosing illegal entry in pursuit of the "British Dream" has increased, causing conflicts between the two countries over migrant control. The issue of illegal crossings through the English Channel, a major route for migrants from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia entering the UK, has emerged as a core point of contention alongside fishing rights disputes.
Earlier, 27 migrants attempting to enter the UK illegally via the English Channel died when their boat capsized off the northern coast of France. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this incident represents the largest single loss of life in the English Channel to date.
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