Yoon Returns Home After UK and France Visits to Strengthen Relations and Final Expo Bid

3 Nights 4 Days UK State Visit Leads to Downing Street Agreement Adoption
Advancement in Korea-UK Security, Economy, and Future Cooperation
2 Nights 3 Days Customized Attraction Negotiations in Paris, France

President Yoon Suk-yeol completed his state visits to the United Kingdom and France for the 2030 Busan World Expo bid campaign and departed for home on the 25th (local time).

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon boarded Air Force One, the presidential aircraft, at Orly Airport in France. Upon arrival at the airport, President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee greeted and shook hands in turn with Paul Fourria, Director of Protocol at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Choi Jae-cheol and his spouse, who had come to see them off.

Invited as the first state guest after the coronation of King Charles III, President Yoon visited London, UK, from the 20th to the 23rd for three nights and four days, elevating Korea-UK diplomatic relations and signing the 'Downing Street Accord' to strengthen cooperation in security, science and technology, economy, and sustainable future sectors, thereby advancing Korea-UK relations to a new level.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who made a state visit to the United Kingdom, and King Charles III of the United Kingdom are arriving at Buckingham Palace by carriage after the official welcoming ceremony held at Horse Guards Parade in London on the 21st (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

First, President Yoon and Prime Minister Sunak upgraded Korea-UK diplomatic relations from a comprehensive creative partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The comprehensive strategic partnership is the second highest level of diplomatic relations after the global comprehensive strategic alliance (with the United States).

The Downing Street Accord includes the establishment of a 2+2 meeting between foreign and defense ministers, joint military exercises, maritime joint patrols, and other defense and security areas. The Korea-UK strategic cyber partnership was also established, which is expected to enhance deterrence against North Korea. They agreed to cooperate not only on North Korean issues but also on overcoming global crises such as the Ukraine war and Middle East conflicts.

Through this agreement with the UK, a scientific powerhouse that has produced 138 Nobel laureates and is the second largest economy in Europe and sixth in the world, cooperation in science, finance, and trade sectors is expected to expand dramatically. Additionally, following President Yoon's visit to the UK, negotiations to improve the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) have commenced, and as Korean financial institutions begin investing actively in the UK market, it is anticipated to contribute to securing advanced industry supply chains and stabilizing financial investments.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to the United Kingdom, is shaking hands with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the Korea-UK summit held at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's residence in London, on the 22nd (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After concluding his state visit to the UK on the 23rd, President Yoon traveled to Paris, France, to conduct a final campaign for the 2030 Busan Expo bid. This visit to France marks his second trip following attendance at the 172nd General Assembly of the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE) in June.

During his schedule in Paris, President Yoon invited the BIE delegation to actively promote the vision for the 2030 Expo, South Korea's global contributions, and leadership in international harmony.

The BIE delegation consists of ambassadors to France, ambassadors to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and ambassadors to UNESCO, so President Yoon tailored events accordingly.

The dinner on the 23rd was themed 'Cultural Diversity,' the luncheon was themed 'Development Cooperation,' and the reception was themed 'The Capabilities of South Korea as a Global Hub Nation.' These themes were designed to increase interest among the invited ambassadors to UNESCO, OECD, and France.

On the morning of the 24th, President Yoon held a one-on-one Korea-France summit meeting with President Emmanuel Macron at the ?lys?e Palace over breakfast, reaffirming the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. This summit was the first Korea-France summit in five months since President Yoon's visit to Paris in June. A senior official from the presidential office stated, "Korea-France summits always take place upon active requests from the other side," and added, "We are planning to arrange President Macron's state visit to Korea at an appropriate time next year."

The two leaders agreed to cooperate on security issues including North Korea, military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, Middle East affairs, and China. They also agreed to build a strong cooperative relationship between Korea and France in defense industry, nuclear energy, socio-cultural exchanges, and cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and space.

[Image source=Yonhap News]