○ Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim and British Ambassador Colin Crooks met on December 24 to discuss cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and the United Kingdom
– Discussions included the current situation in Korea, responses to climate change, and cooperation in advanced industries

On December 24, Gyeonggi Province Governor Dong Yeon Kim welcomed British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Gyeonggi Province and the United Kingdom, as well as the current situation in Korea.

Governor Kim emphasized that Korea is addressing the political turmoil, including the lifting of martial law and the impeachment of the president, through democratic processes. He expressed gratitude for the support received from Korea’s allies during this time and reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with them in the future.

In response, Ambassador Crooks stated that the United Kingdom has been closely monitoring the situation in Korea and commended the progress of the country’s constitutional process. He also expressed his confidence in continued close cooperation with Korea as a strategic global partner.

The two leaders discussed a wide range of topics, including global affairs and economic issues, and reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between the two countries. They agreed to continue close collaboration, particularly in areas such as climate change responses and high-tech industries.

Prior to his appointment as the UK Ambassador to South Korea in February 2022, Ambassador Crooks served as the UK’s Ambassador to North Korea. He is a recognized expert on the Korean Peninsula, having also served as First Secretary at the British Embassy in Seoul from 1995 to 1999, where he oversaw Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Korea.

Since taking office, Governor Kim has worked to strengthen the friendly relations between Gyeonggi Province and the UK through numerous high-level exchanges. Starting with a meeting with Ambassador Crooks in July 2022, their cooperation has continued through significant events, including a visit to the British Embassy to offer condolences after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, a meeting with the UK Climate Action Ambassador in October, and Ambassador Crooks’ participation in the DMZ Peace Walk.

Moreover, cooperation between the two sides has expanded to various fields, including Governor Kim’s participation in a reception hosted by Ambassador Crooks at the British Council in November 2022, meetings with British Trade Envoy John Whittingdale in 2023, and Ambassador Crooks’ speech at the opening ceremony of Eco Fair Korea .

This meeting was organized in response to Governor Kim’s emergency overseas letter regarding the declaration of martial law on December 3, reflecting the solid trust between Governor Kim and Ambassador Crooks.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government expects this meeting to be an invaluable opportunity to reaffirm shared values and further strengthen the cooperative relationship between the two countries.