Korea-UK Leaders Agree to Strengthen Defense and Carbon-Free Energy Cooperation

Korea-UK Leaders Agree to Strengthen Defense and Carbon-Free Energy Cooperation

 President Yoon Holds Summit with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the Sidelines of the G20 Summit
Discussions on Enhancing Practical Cooperation and Addressing Regional and Global Issues, Including Russia-North Korea Collaboration

 

시사k뉴스 지형덕 기자

2024.11.20

During his visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the G20 Summit, President Yoon Suk Yeol held a summit with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on November 19 (local time). The two leaders exchanged views on ways to enhance practical cooperation between their nations and address regional and global issues, including responses to Russia-North Korea collaboration.

윤석열 대통령이 19일(현지시각) 브라질 리우데자네이루 현대미술관에서 19차 주요 20개국(G20) 정상회의를 계기로 키어 스타머 영국 총리와 한·영 정상회담을 하고 있다.(사진=대통령실 홈페이지)

 

President Yoon highlighted the ongoing close communication between Korea and the UK, consistent with their "global strategic partnership," demonstrated by the NATO Summit meeting in July, the strategic dialogue between foreign ministers in October, and the current summit. He emphasized the importance of further strengthening cooperation across various fields.

 

Prime Minister Starmer affirmed the UK’s commitment to maintaining close communication and exploring avenues for cooperation with allies like Korea amid rapidly changing international dynamics. He expressed a desire to continue strategic dialogue on various occasions.

 

The two leaders reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation since the Downing Street Accord, agreed upon during President Yoon’s state visit to the UK in November last year. They commended the effective implementation of initiatives in defense, arms industries, economic trade, and responses to climate change.

 

In particular, they agreed to maintain close communication to:

Launch a Korea-UK "2+2 Meeting" of foreign and defense ministers,Strengthen defense industry collaboration, Achieve early results in improving the Korea-UK FTA, andEnhance cooperation in the carbon-free energy (CFE) sector.

 

The leaders also shared assessments of the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including illegal military collaboration between Russia and North Korea. They evaluated the unified and strong condemnations issued by the two countries on multiple occasions and pledged to continue close cooperation for a coordinated response.

 

Recognizing the increasing interconnectedness of security in Northeast Asia and Europe, the leaders agreed to work together with the international community to promote peace and reconstruction in Ukraine.

 

Furthermore, they resolved to strengthen cooperation in international forums such as the UN Security Council, G7, and G20, and to continue strategic communication on various regional and global issues.

 

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