British public broadcaster BBC reports, ‘The royal red carpet was rolled out to welcome the Korean leader’
“State visits are a mixture of royal events and ‘soft power’ plus real politics.”
“Yeon, singing style passionately in the U.S.… Visit Charles III Koreatown and experience the Korean Wave”
Regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol’s visit to the UK, the British public broadcaster BBC evaluated it as ‘soft power’. He also mentioned that King Charles III of England had tasted the Korean Wave.
On the 21st (local time), the BBC published an article titled ‘A royal red carpet was rolled out to welcome the head of Korea’, highlighting the event of President Yoon’s visit.
In addition, “State visits are a mixture of ‘soft power’ that combines extravagant royal events and real politics. “It was a sign of respect for an increasingly important ally and trading partner in a region where tensions with China are rising,” he wrote. Soft power refers to the ability to get what you want through persuasion and charm instead of coercion or compensation.
The media described a carriage procession in London, the capital for President Yoon’s protocol, and explained that he met with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunnack, and British Foreign Minister David Cameron.
He pointed out that the jingling sound produced by the harnesses of cavalrymen marching on ‘The Mall’ in front of Buckingham Palace is related to the sound of a cash machine, and suggests trade negotiations between the two countries.
President Yoon plans to begin negotiations to improve the Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and emphasize cooperation in high-tech industries such as semiconductors and nuclear power plants.
The media said, “Although President Yoon did not repeat the singing style when he met U.S. President Joe Biden and sang ‘American Pie’ last April, King Charles III said, ‘Korean “I visited New Malden, also known as ‘Town,’ and tasted Korean culture and K-pop,” he wrote.
President Yoon plans to adopt the ‘Downing Street Accord’ through a summit meeting with Prime Minister Sunnack during his visit to the UK. Through this, the relationship between the two countries will be upgraded from a ‘comprehensive and creative partnership’ to a ‘global strategic partnership’.
Prime Minister Sunnack said, “In the long term, global partnerships are essential to our prosperity and security now and in the future. Our two countries are natural partners focused on innovation, utilizing new technologies, and protecting the international order.”
“This close relationship has already facilitated £21 billion worth of investment between our two countries,” he said. “I am confident that the right FTA for the future will stimulate further investment, grow the economy and support highly skilled jobs.” “I am confident that we will fulfill our promise,” he said.
President Yoon concludes his state visit to the UK on the 23rd and moves to France. In France, a lunch and dinner event will be held for BIE representatives from each country in Paris for 4 days and 2 nights, and a last-minute bid to host the ‘2030 Busan World Expo (EXPO)’ will be held.
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.