By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk met with British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks and requested a strong condemnation of North Korea's ballistic missile launch on Oct. 28.

During a meeting with British Ambassador Colin Crooks at the National Assembly, Jang stated, "Ahead of the Gyeongju APEC summit, North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. I hope the Ambassador will also strongly condemn this."

Regarding North Korea's deployment of troops to the Ukraine war and its strengthened cooperation with Russia, Jang stated, "North Korea's direct involvement in a European war, located in Northeast Asia, is by no means something to be taken lightly. The UK cannot stand by and watch North Korea directly support Russia and threaten peace in Europe."

He continued, "It is deeply regrettable that the new South Korean government seems to be responding somewhat more lukewarmly than the previous administration," and added, "I hope the UK will continue to cooperate and communicate with the People Power Party, the main opposition party in South Korea."

Ambassador Crooks stated, "The UK strongly condemns Russia's actions threatening not only Europe but also the Korean Peninsula."

He also stated, "The core of democracy is the role of a constructive opposition party," and added, "I have come to ask the major South Korean opposition parties for their continued support of the Korea-UK Global Strategic Partnership."

Specifically, he expressed his hope for cooperation in the following areas: science and technology, including artificial intelligence; clean energy; FTA negotiations; and the defense industry.