The title is a quote from ‘Romeo and Juliet’
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President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is on a state visit to the UK, gave a speech at the British Parliament on the 21st (local time). This was his second speech to an overseas Congress, following his speech to a joint session of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, and was delivered in English.
This speech, titled ‘Friendship between the two countries that will turn challenges into opportunities’, is a total of 17 minutes long and gives meaning by pointing out the relationship between Korea and the UK, which celebrates the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, in chronological order of past, present and future. .
In particular, the President’s Office explains that it is meaningful in that it publicly declared the new relationship between the two countries, focusing on the ‘Downing Street Accord’ adopted at the Korea-UK summit on the occasion of this state visit.
The title of this speech was a quote from the great British writer Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’: ‘Our friendship will bring happiness and turn the challenges we face into opportunities.’
The relationship between the two countries, which has lasted for 140 years, was upgraded to a ‘global strategic partnership’ with President Yoon’s state visit, and the two countries pledge to overcome complex global crises through solidarity based on the values of liberal democracy to expand the freedom of the people of both countries and seek common prosperity. Meaning.
The speech begins by highlighting Britain’s world-historical status and the fact that Parliament is at the center of it.
President Yoon said, “Britain is a pioneer in modern and contemporary world history, laying the cornerstone of liberal democracy and blossoming the market economic order. By leading and spreading liberal democracy and market capitalism around the world, the UK has promoted human freedom and human rights, achieved rapid growth, and “It had a huge impact on prosperity,” he said.
He continued, “I know very well that the British Parliament is the core that has led this great Britain,” and added, “I am very honored to stand in the British Parliament, the mother of parliaments.”
President Yoon expressed gratitude to each and every missionary, reporter, and dispatched soldier who helped the two countries through the independence movement, the Korean War, and the postwar development of the 140-year relationship that began with the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce in 1883.
In particular, he mentioned the slogan ‘We are remembered by our actions’ of the Gloucester unit that participated in the Korean War and emphasized, “The noble sacrifice of the British soldiers will forever remain in the memory of the Korean people.”
At the same time, he called Colin Thackeray, Honorary Minister of Veterans Affairs of the Republic of Korea and former member of the Gloucester Battalion, who attended the parliamentary speech that day, and bowed his head, saying, “On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Korea, I express my deep gratitude and infinite respect.”
President Yoon went on to evaluate the current state of cooperation between the two countries, including Britain’s participation in ROK-U.S. joint exercises, establishment of a cyber security cooperation system, and expansion of trade and investment, saying, “This year, marking the 140th anniversary of Korea-U.K. efforts, will be a turning point for a new leap forward in the relationship between the two countries.” declared.
More than half of President Yoon’s speech consisted of suggestions for the future of Korea-Britain relations.
In particular, President Yoon explained to the National Assembly the ‘Downing Street Accord’ that was agreed upon with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during his state visit, and declared, “The two countries have been reborn as true global strategic partners.”
At the same time, he requested full support from Congress, saying, “Cooperation between the two countries will greatly expand to all fields, including digital and AI, cybersecurity, nuclear power, defense, bio, space, semiconductors, offshore wind power, clean energy, and the ocean.”
President Yoon presented geopolitical risks such as the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, and North Korea’s nuclear threat, supply chain and energy crises, and the digital gap as global issues, and appealed, “Let us respond together to the world’s many challenges.”
This is a quote from British historian Arnold Toynbee who said, ‘Civilization is born and develops through repeated challenges and responses.’
He also quoted former British Prime Minister Churchill, who said, “The price of greatness is responsibility,” and said, “Let us join forces to promote freedom, peace, and prosperity in the international community.”
President Yoon proposed expanding cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, saying, “If the UK is a country with the Beatles, Queen, Harry Potter, and David Beckham, Korea is a country with BTS, Blackpink, Squid Game, and Son Heung-min.” It caught my attention.
Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of National Security, explained, “President Yoon’s speech to the British Parliament symbolically and concretely captured the future that the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom will open together as friendly countries sharing universal values at the Palace of Westminster, the cradle of liberal democracy.” did.
[런던=뉴시스]
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.