By Lee Jon-young

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who are on a state visit to the United Kingdom, attended a state dinner hosted by His Majesty King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on the evening of November 21. The dinner was attended by more than 180 members of our official entourage, business leaders, and leading figures from the United Kingdom.

In his speech at the dinner, His Majesty King Charles III welcomed President Yoon in this momentous year of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the United Kingdom, and expressed his hope that this state visit will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the friendship and trust between the two countries.

In his remarks, the President thanked King Charles for inviting him to pay his first state visit since his coronation, and noted that over the past 140 years, the two countries have forged a strong and enduring friendship. He also thanked the British soldiers who sacrificed for the freedom of Korea during the Korean War, including Sergeant William Spikeman and Private James Logan, for the freedom and prosperity that Korea enjoys today.

The President also praised the UK for being the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, which transformed human civilization and led to great scientific achievements, and South Korea for being a high-tech S&T powerhouse, which is now leading the international debate on AI and digital norms. 

He also noted the depth of cultural cooperation between the two countries, with the song "My Universe" by BTS and Coldplay resonating with young people around the world. 

The President emphasized that the potential for future cooperation between the two countries is vast, and pledged that the Republic of Korea will continue to work together with the United Kingdom, which has led the way in liberal democratic political systems based on the universal values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, to promote freedom, peace, and prosperity in the world.