(MENAFN- The Peninsula) AFP
London: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gets down to business Wednesday on the second day of his state visit to Britain, meeting Political leaders and signing a new diplomatic accord.
He will later hold talks with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as well as speak to opposition leader Keir Starmer, who is tipped to become Britain's next leader at an election expected in 2024.
Earlier, Yoon addressed a business forum attended by CEOs and other representatives from both countries, which will kickstart talks on a beefed-up UK-South Korea free trade deal.
While meeting Sunak, he will formally agree a new pact -- the "Downing Street Accord" -- set to deepen cooperation on technology, defence and security, and "redefine the relationship", according to the UK government.
Yoon has said the visit is "a springboard" for greater cooperation, with South Korea aiming to expand business opportunities and high-tech industry supply chains as well as bolster diplomatic and defence ties.
Addressing British lawmakers in parliament on Tuesday -- the first day of his three-day visit -- he said their bilateral relations "will be reborn as true global strategic partners".
Broaden cooperation
Wednesday's meetings follow the formal royal welcome Yoon and his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee, received on their first day, which saw London roll out the red carpet.
King Charles III threw a lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace -- attended by an array of VIPs, including other UK royals and K-pop stars Blackpink -- to end a packed day of pomp-filled ceremony.
Earlier, the first couple of South Korea enjoyed a private lunch at the palace and visited Westminster Abbey, where Charles was formally crowned monarch six months ago.
Yoon is the first foreign leader hosted by Charles since his May coronation, with the visit coming as Britain forges stronger post-Brexit ties with fast-growing economies in the Indo-Pacific region.
The new accord to be signed Wednesday follows the signing of similar partnerships with Singapore and Japan earlier this year.
Meanwhile, Britain and South Korea are set to broaden cooperation on AI, cybersecurity, nuclear energy and defence, along as working to tackle North Korea's threat, according to Yoon.
The bid to upgrade their free trade arrangements follow the launch last year of a consultation on an enhanced deal.
'Comprehensive'
The existing accord replicates the European Union's agreement with South Korea, and London is eager to showcase the benefits of having left the bloc by striking FTAs with Indo-Pacific nations.
UK Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch launched the talks with her South Korean counterpart at the business forum taking place alongside the state visit.
The two countries are set to announce £21 billion ($26 billion) of investments in green energy and infrastructure projects across the UK at the forum, according to her ministry.
Badenoch said an enhanced deal would boost Britain's vital services sector, while also creating "new opportunities" for UK exports in the food and luxury goods sectors.
Total trade in goods and services between the UK and South Korea was £16.1 billion in the year to the end of June.
Defence cooperation will also be part of the new accord, with both countries pledging to step up joint training and operations "to create the most comprehensive exercise regime between the UK and any partner other than the US".
The pact comes as North Korea launched what it claims is a spy satellite, Seoul said Tuesday, in Pyongyang's third attempt this year to get a military eye in the sky.
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