Mark Field arrives in South Korea for talks on regional and global security
Minister for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field arrived in Seoul to further strengthen political, defence and economic relations with South Korea.
The Minister will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to work alongside South Korea and the international community to tackle the threat to regional and global security posed by North Korea. His visit comes just 3 weeks after the United Nations Security Council unanimously agreed sanctions against North Korea, and during biannual US-South Korea military exercises, which also include UK participation.
He will meet with his South Korean counterpart Lim Sung-nam and South Korean parliamentarians, and pay a visit to the demilitarized zone on the border between South and North Korea.
Mark Field, Minister for Asia and the Pacific, said:
The UK has been clear that we stand alongside South Korea, and our international partners in the United Nations, in condemning the actions of North Korea and the destabilising impact the regime’s pursuit of nuclear and ballistic weapons has had on this region.
I am here to express our support to South Korea in person and look forward to discussions on continuing the strong relationship between our 2 nations – not just on security issues, but also global political, defence and economic issues.
Mr Field is in South Korea as part of a wider visit to Asia, following on from talks in China and Hong Kong. After leaving South Korea he will travel to Singapore.
Background
- this is Mark Field’s first visit to South Korea since becoming Minister for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in June 2017
- trade in goods and services between the UK and South Korea have increased by almost 65% to £11.1 billion since 2011
- South Korea will host the Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang in 2018 and 4 British companies (Aggreko, iLuka, Global Infusion and Foamhand) have already secured contracts to provide services valued at more than £50 million to the organisers
- the UK has provided 25 personnel for the biannual US-South Korea military exercise ‘Ulchi-Freedom Guardian’ taking place between 21 to 31 August
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