South Korea’s president to talk trade, technology and defense on state visit to the UK
WEARVALLEYMERCURY

LONDON — The leaders of Britain and South Korea will search to strengthen commerce and protection ties between their nations throughout a state go to to the U.Okay. by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Yoon landed at Stansted Airport close to London on Monday. Britain hopes his formal three-day go to will assist cement an “ Indo-Pacific tilt ” in its international and commerce coverage.

Throughout that point, the president will probably be handled to each royal and diplomatic pomp, together with a ceremonial welcome with navy honor guards, a possibility to deal with Parliament and a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

He’s additionally scheduled to carry talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak targeted on commerce, know-how and protection. The 2 nations will formally launch talks on an “upgraded” free commerce settlement to interchange their present deal, which largely replicates the preparations the U.Okay. had earlier than it left the European Union.

Britain has launched commerce talks with a number of nations since leaving the EU in 2020, although it has finalized offers solely with Australia and New Zealand. The U.Okay. additionally has joined the Complete and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, an Asia-Pacific commerce bloc that features Japan and 10 different nations.

Sunak and Yoon are anticipated to signal an settlement protecting cooperation in protection and know-how, together with artificial intelligence. Britain hosted the primary worldwide AI Security Summit this month, and South Korea intends to carry a follow-up occasion subsequent yr.

Britain additionally plans to spend money on South Korean semiconductor manufacturing as a part of worldwide efforts to diversify the provision of the important thing pc parts. Lots of the superior chips are produced in Taiwan, and the coronavirus pandemic and an more and more assertive China have heightened considerations about future provide.

The 2 leaders are additionally set to spice up protection cooperation, together with joint naval patrols to implement U.N. sanctions on North Korea.

Sunak mentioned agreements made throughout Yoon’s go to would “drive funding, increase commerce and construct a friendship that not solely helps international stability, however protects our pursuits and lasts the check of time.”