[Full Text] Korea-UK Downing Street Agreement

President Yoon Suk-yeol and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held a summit on the 22nd (local time) at the Downing Street Prime Minister's residence and signed the 'Downing Street Accord.'

This agreement was made to elevate the diplomatic relations between the two countries to a 'comprehensive strategic partnership' on the occasion of President Yoon's state visit to the UK.

The accord includes a total of 45 specific implementation plans across three sectors: defense and security (8 items), science and technology and trade and investment in the economic sector (26 items), and sustainable future (11 items).

Full Korean translation of the Downing Street Accord.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Republic of Korea (hereinafter Korea) and the United Kingdom have maintained the closest relationship since the establishment of diplomatic relations. Reflecting the next stage of partnership, the two countries today sign a new 'Downing Street Accord' to strengthen and deepen cooperation across security and defense, science and technology, prosperity, trade, and energy security. Through this, relations between the two nations, their economies, and peoples will be elevated to the highest level of strategic ambition, which will endure throughout this century and beyond.

As countries in Asia and Europe respectively, we seek to build a comprehensive and in-depth partnership based on mutual benefit, trust, and reciprocity. Korea and the UK share a joint commitment to the principles of democracy, the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, the protection and promotion of human rights and gender equality, global economic security, open and fair trade, and responding to the climate crisis. Our partnership exemplifies how two free democratic sovereign states can cooperate bilaterally to advance national interests, security, and prosperity globally. Furthermore, as agile and dynamic markets with particular strengths in science and technology, maritime affairs, and financial and service sectors, the two countries will play an essential role in shaping a rules-based, resilient global economic order.

We are entering a new era in bilateral relations grounded in a deep historical foundation. The Downing Street Accord, symbolizing the new global strategic partnership between Korea and the UK, is concluded in the year marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Through our longstanding bilateral relationship, we have established firm shared values, fought together on battlefields to uphold the UN Charter, and cooperated to address common global challenges while defending freedom and democracy.

This Downing Street Accord reflects a forward-looking perspective, acknowledging the evolving nature of national security in the 21st century. Our two countries share similar strategic assessments of the challenges ahead, recognizing that the international order we have sought to uphold for the past 70 years is under threat. The ability to innovate and secure strategic advantages is increasingly vital for future prosperity and economic security. We must continue to invest in conventional deterrence and defense capabilities and renew our capacities to address new challenges.

Meanwhile, we are confident that countries like ours are particularly well-suited to adapt to these changes and to protect and promote not only the interests of our peoples but also a shared vision of an open and stable international order. As our bilateral relationship reaches new heights, we have already begun adapting by redefining approaches to security and prosperity and renewing and reimagining bilateral and multilateral relations with other countries. We will raise our voices together to uphold, promote, and shape a rules-based international order. In this regard, with Korea's 2024-25 term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the two countries will cooperate closely as partners on multilateral platforms such as the G20 and the UN Security Council, and strengthen partnerships through the G7 based on Korea's constructive engagement.

We condemn North Korea's illegal development of nuclear weapons and missiles, which seriously threaten international peace and security. North Korea must completely, verifiably, and irreversibly abandon all nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missile programs, and existing nuclear programs.

The UK supports Korea's goal of a nuclear-free, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula. Our two countries strongly urge North Korea to immediately cease illegal and destabilizing actions and return to meaningful dialogue and efforts toward peace. We oppose all forms of arms transfers and related military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and call on both sides to comply with relevant resolutions. The two countries pledge to raise awareness of North Korea's human rights violations and abuses and to strengthen cooperation to persuade North Korea to respect and uphold human rights. We support a free and peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

We jointly condemn Russia's unjustified aggression against Ukraine and stand united in upholding the UN Charter and the territorial integrity of member states. The continuation of the war undermines global prosperity by threatening food and energy security, and we demand that Russia immediately cease attacks targeting Ukraine's grain supplies. Our support for Ukraine remains unwavering, and we are committed to supporting Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts. We recognize that private investment is essential to Ukraine's recovery and economic potential, and that the private sectors of both countries are well-positioned to support the reconstruction process.

We will work together to maintain an open and stable international order based on the UN Charter and international law and strive for openness and transparency in the Indo-Pacific region. We emphasize that our fundamental position on Taiwan remains unchanged. Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are indispensable to the security and prosperity of the international community. Considering the seriousness of the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the region. We reaffirm our firm commitment to international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight as stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

We strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, which cannot be justified under any circumstances. All parties to conflicts must comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and other international laws. We express deep concern about the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and its severe impact on civilians. Korea and the UK continue to support progress toward a 'two-state solution.' We have long shared a clear position on the Middle East peace process: supporting negotiated agreements that enable a secure and stable Israel to coexist with a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. We prioritize civilian protection and humanitarian assistance to those in need in Gaza and emphasize the need to work together to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

This new Downing Street Accord is a political document representing a shared understanding to implement the 'bilateral framework for closer cooperation' between Korea and the UK in a strategic and forward-looking manner.

First, we will cooperate to strengthen an open and resilient international order. We commit to deepening security cooperation to address the geopolitical environment and promote regional and international stability by enhancing resilience. Following the state visit, we will pursue the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation to strengthen defense collaboration between the two countries.

Second, we will work together to promote a rules-based economic order and address risks and vulnerabilities that undermine long-term prosperity and security. Through cooperation, we will shape future areas of the global economy across global principles, standards, and regulations. The two countries will build capabilities and capacities for emerging technologies and information across academia, industry, and government. We will expand, deepen, and promote our bilateral trade and investment relations by removing existing market access barriers and emphasizing future priorities and cutting-edge sectors, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors.

Finally, recognizing our shared responsibility, we will work together to realize a sustainable future based on clean and secure energy and resilient critical mineral supply chains that underpin our innovation economies. Cooperation between governments and industries will enable us to overcome new challenges, protect our environment, and respond more robustly and resiliently to geopolitical shocks and challenges. We pledge to place the rights of women and girls at the center of bilateral cooperation to create a safer, more equitable, and prosperous world. We reaffirm our commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and our determination to accelerate cooperation for inclusive growth, climate change response, and gender equality through a strategic development partnership between the two countries.

With the determination to ensure our partnership achieves our goals, our two countries commit as follows.

1. Strengthening an open and resilient international order

We must enhance defense and security cooperation to promote peace and stability and strengthen international and regional resilience, including mutual consultations on major regional and international security issues. Furthermore, the two countries will establish a Korea-UK Foreign and Defense Ministers 2+2 meeting to enhance cooperation and seek responses to regional and global challenges threatening peace and security.

We will work together to conclude a Korea-UK Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation, developing a comprehensive and institutional framework to deepen defense collaboration. We will commit to additional joint exercises to enhance interoperability between our armed forces. We will pursue a defense industry partnership to develop joint defense equipment capabilities, including research and development programs. This will enable our militaries to respond to evolving threat environments.

We will develop new industrial research and development initiatives. These initiatives include revitalizing Korea-UK defense dialogues and establishing a joint defense export memorandum of understanding to identify priority markets. We will implement joint Korea-UK patrols to enforce sanctions against North Korea, strengthening and supporting UN Security Council resolutions to restrict funding for North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs. We will build a Korea-UK strategic cyber partnership to develop core capabilities and closely cooperate to respond to and deter cyber threats, while also enhancing cooperation with industry to build resilience.

To more effectively address maritime threats in the Indo-Pacific region, we will share maritime security-related information and explore the possibility of Korea participating in the UK's Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) program. We will work together domestically and internationally to uphold democracy. These efforts include high-level dialogues to identify and respond to issues undermining liberal democracy and cooperation to host the third Democracy Summit.

2. Pursuing prosperity, growth, and security of our economies

To strengthen economic security between our countries and globally, build technology partnerships, diversify supply chains, and promote cooperation among trusted partners, we will implement the following.

We will revitalize the Korea-UK Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement concluded in 1985 through implementation agreements to strengthen the science and technology partnership. This will establish a framework to promote joint research and development, encourage innovation and commercialization, cooperation among industries and enterprises in key technologies and related sectors, and coordination on governance issues.

We welcome the launch of the Korea-UK Digital Partnership. This partnership will promote cooperation across shared priority areas including telecommunications supply chain diversification, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Recognizing the need for international norms and technical standards that promote innovation in digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), we will disseminate our shared values and minimize risks. Based on this shared understanding, we intend to continue discussions on norms and technical standards on issues of common interest, including improving AI safety, bridging the digital divide, enhancing digital literacy, providing citizen-centered digital government services, and creating sustainable digital ecosystems.

We will deepen cooperation in the semiconductor sector. Through bilateral activities and multilateral cooperation, we will work together to enhance the resilience of semiconductor supply chains. This will be supported by commitments outlined in the Korea-UK Semiconductor Cooperation Framework, which will strengthen cooperation in this field.

We will deepen cooperation on the responsible military use of AI and other emerging technologies. In this context, the UK welcomes Korea hosting the 'High-Level Meeting on the Responsible Military Use of Artificial Intelligence' in Seoul in 2024 and will seek opportunities to support it. Our goal is to enhance international security. The use of AI in the military domain must always comply with international humanitarian law. We commit to maximizing the benefits and addressing risks posed by new and innovative technologies and to developing norms and principles for responsible use. We will work to strengthen arms control and non-proliferation.

We welcome the conclusion of the Korea-UK Space Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding. This MoU will establish close cooperation on space issues and mark an important milestone in space-related bilateral relations. Building on ongoing scientific and research cooperation between the two countries, we look forward to Korea having the opportunity to sign the international radio telescope construction (SKAO) cooperation agreement. By addressing global challenges and exploring unknown realms, we will contribute to sustainable human development and economic growth. We recognize the importance of strengthening cooperation in a wide range of research and innovation fields, from basic science to business innovation. We will enhance research and innovation cooperation, including joint research and personnel exchanges between the two countries.

Recognizing the importance of quantum technologies, which are key to driving innovation in industrial and security environments, we will actively respond to the rapidly changing technological environment through various measures, personnel exchanges, and standardization efforts. We welcome the conclusion of the Korea-UK Digital Government Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding. This MoU will serve as a foundational platform for discussions on more effective and efficient public sector digital transformation essential to the economic prosperity and growth of both countries.

In the emerging field of synthetic biology, which is bringing about transformative changes, we will seek cooperation opportunities through closer research collaboration, sharing best practices in responsible innovation, and promoting growth-friendly norms in the global bioeconomy. We will develop a joint vision for trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) use and expand partnerships in AI through joint research, policy sharing, and building private sector cooperation networks by leveraging the Digital Partnership. Korea and the UK will cooperate to advance international governance on AI in multilateral forums, including co-hosting the next 'Mini Virtual AI Safety Summit.' We recognize the importance of interoperability and supplier diversity in building robust digital infrastructure that provides a solid foundation for the digital economy. We will promote bilateral and multilateral research and development cooperation and partnerships between industry and academia in both countries.

We will advocate for the need for strong international partnerships to support and strengthen the rules-based international trade system. Alongside these goals, we aim to uphold the importance of free and fair competition that promotes international trade and business opportunities. We commit to pursuing trade policies that are non-discriminatory, consistent with the World Trade Organization (WTO) system, and encourage predictability in bilateral trade relations. We respect the essential role the WTO has played in free, fair, and rules-based international trade. To develop global trade norms fit for the 21st century, we will raise our voices together to uphold rules-based free trade principles.

With all necessary domestic procedures completed, we will commence negotiations to enhance the Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This aims to improve and expand existing agreements in areas where trade policies have evolved since the original Korea-UK FTA was concluded. The modernization of the Korea-UK FTA is expected to reflect the importance of emerging trade agendas such as supply chain resilience, the digital economy, and energy cooperation. Ministers from relevant departments of both countries will initiate FTA improvement negotiations in November 2023.

We commit to cooperating to overcome market access barriers in a wide range of areas as part of the implementation of the Korea-UK FTA and other broader bilateral agreements and accords. Complementing and linking the Korea-UK FTA, we will activate dialogues on strategic opportunities and challenges of mutual interest and hold annual high-level meetings between Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the UK's Department for Business and Trade to strengthen Korea-UK high-level coordination. Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance and the UK's Treasury will deepen cooperation and share information in areas such as macroeconomic stability, fiscal policy, financial markets, economic security, and international finance issues to secure economic prosperity by establishing a Korea-UK economic and financial dialogue by the end of 2024. Korea's Ministry of Economy and Finance and the UK's Department for Business and Trade will establish investment cooperation channels, including annual meetings with strategic investors held within the government cooperation framework, to further strengthen economic linkages and promote mutual investment between Korea and the UK by the end of 2024.

To promote the resilience of critical supply chains essential to economic activity and security, such as advanced technology-related materials, parts, equipment, essential medicines, energy, and critical minerals, we will establish a Korea-UK supply chain dialogue by the end of 2023 aimed at ensuring government-to-government exchanges and cooperation. We will support high-potential companies investing in technology sectors in both countries and enhancing innovation and research and development partnerships, strengthening our positions as global science and technology powers. We will strengthen efforts to conclude a Korea-UK maritime cooperation Letter of Intent (LOI). This agreement will enhance bilateral cooperation, enabling close coordination on key maritime issues.

We will sign a Korea-UK Mutual Assistance Agreement on Customs. This agreement will support the joint purpose of both countries to respond to serious and organized crime through effective customs enforcement and promote legitimate trade and commercial opportunities.

Recognizing shared strengths in creative sectors (film, TV, music, video games, advertising, design and designer fashion, publishing, architecture, museums, and crafts), we agree to deepen exchanges between companies in these dynamic sectors and formal working-level trade cooperation exchanges. Recognizing each other's strengths in education and technology sectors, we will deepen exchanges between companies in these fields.

We will cooperate to enhance human ties among youth of both countries. We appreciate the active cooperation and valuable support of both governments to encourage participation in the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) and Working Holiday programs. We will strive to continuously create opportunities for such cooperation.

3. Building a sustainable, safe, and resilient future

Together, we will protect our peoples and the planet and deepen our commitments to keep temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius and achieve net zero by 2050 in accordance with the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Climate Pact. We will strive to comprehensively address threats to energy security, the climate crisis, and affordable clean energy supply. To achieve this, we will implement the following.

We will sign a new Korea-UK Clean Energy Partnership to promote cooperation focusing on clean energy, particularly offshore wind and nuclear power deployment. We will share expertise and experience, cooperate on standards and regulations, and build business partnerships to accelerate clean energy deployment in both countries and third countries.

We will hold annual Korea-UK Clean Energy High-Level Meetings to enable policymakers and business CEOs to review mutual trade and investment partnership opportunities in third countries. This will be pursued through high-level dialogues and new or revised memoranda of understanding as outlined below.

Offshore Wind: We will support each other in achieving respective 2030 deployment targets and energy security and economic growth. We will share lessons learned, remove deployment barriers, identify opportunities for construction and sustainable supply chain development, and build business partnerships through investment. We will sign a memorandum of understanding on offshore wind and establish mutually beneficial partnerships to expand and promote fixed and floating offshore wind deployment in Korea, the UK, and third countries, contributing to economic growth and strengthening energy security in both countries.

Nuclear Power: Recognizing the global need to deploy nuclear power to address climate change and the necessity to diversify nuclear supply chains, we will strive to maintain and develop the broadest possible relationships. This includes strengthening nuclear fuel supply chains, safety, security and non-proliferation, nuclear decommissioning, and the development of large nuclear power plants, small modular reactors, and other advanced nuclear power technologies in both countries or third-country markets, based on memoranda of understanding concluded between the two countries in November 2023.

Korea and the UK’s commitment to accelerating the global transition to carbon neutrality will underpin all aspects of the Clean Energy Partnership. Korea and the UK reaffirm their existing commitments to phase out coal-fired power plants without carbon capture and will work to facilitate the transition. Korea and the UK pledge to strengthen cooperation to promote decarbonization of our energy systems to achieve global goals by 2050, including tripling nuclear power, tripling global renewable energy capacity, and doubling global energy efficiency. We recognize that initiatives such as the 'Breakthrough Agenda' and the 'Clean Energy Compact' can play a role in achieving these shared goals.

Korea and the UK will establish a 'Critical Minerals Joint Working Group.' Through this, we will pursue memoranda of understanding to enhance research and innovation cooperation and promote partnerships among companies, industries, and academic institutions, as well as information sharing and cooperation on international standards.

We will continue close cooperation in multilateral forums such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to promote climate goals. We welcome the ICAO Assembly's adoption of the 'Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG)' to achieve net zero in international aviation by 2050 and the recently updated 'IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy,' which sets a joint goal to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions around 2050. Korea and the UK commit to cooperating to support decarbonization in these critical sectors, including complementary initiatives such as the 'International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition.'

We pledge to work together on the international stage to achieve global environmental goals and shared interests, protect and restore nature, and halt and reverse biodiversity loss. This includes effective cooperation to implement the 'Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework' to achieve global targets by 2030.

We will cooperate through the 'Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP)' and the 'LEAF Coalition' to realize the vision under the 'Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use.'

As we significantly increased our contributions to the second replenishment of the Green Climate Fund in 2023, we will continue efforts to support greenhouse gas reduction and climate change adaptation in developing countries.

We will enhance cooperation related to commercial nuclear fusion energy generation. This may include research and development projects and activities related to fusion power plant development, appropriate policy coordination (such as fusion regulation and standards), and supply chain support.

We will cooperate to promote national development, secure investment, build resilient economies and institutions, and realize the potential of our peoples. Our cooperation will be conducted in accordance with our commitments under the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and the Paris Agreement.

We commit to a 'Strategic Development Partnership' to strengthen mutual cooperation. The Korea-UK Development Cooperation Policy Dialogue will be held annually at a high level, and progress will be made through action plans developed and finalized at future policy dialogues. This partnership will deepen cooperation in digital transformation, climate and environment, health, private sector cooperation, development finance, and women and girls.

We will deepen cooperation by pursuing new collaboration between Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the UK Investment Partnership in 2024. As founding members of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), we will strengthen our roles in supporting developing countries' green transition and climate change response efforts by increasing financial contributions to the institute.