President Yun Suk-yeol , through the S o ut h Ko r e a -U K summit, discussed ways to advance bilateral relations and exchange opinions on global cooperation. President Yoon Suk-yeol exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations and global cooperation during a summit meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom, held in conjunction with the Hiroshima G7 Summit on May 20.
President Yoon expressed his significant appreciation for holding his first summit meeting with Prime Minister Sunak following his inauguration. He urged Prime Minister Sunak to expand nuclear power cooperation, establish a digital partnership, and enhance cyber security cooperation, emphasizing the importance of ongoing communication to expand cooperation between South Korea and the UK.
In response, Prime Minister Sunak expressed his active agreement and expressed his desire to enhance cooperation between South Korea and the UK, particularly in the fields of energy (nuclear power), defense industry, and semiconductors.
Prime Minister Sunak congratulated the 140th anniversary of bilateral exchanges between South Korea and the UK and proposed a "quantum framework for closer cooperation" to present future cooperation plans between the two countries, aiming for a comprehensive and creative partnership.
Prime Minister Sunak stated that he intends to position South Korea as the most important partner in the Asia-Pacific region and suggested reaching specific plans and agreements on South Korea-UK cooperation in the shortest possible time. President Yoon responded by promising close communication between the security and economic teams of both countries.
Regarding Prime Minister Sunak's remark that South Korea and the UK are important partners in regional cooperation and global agenda coordination, based on shared universal values, President Yoon emphasized the importance of solidarity with partner countries including the G7. He expressed the need for continued cooperation to strengthen the value-based partnership between the two countries.