Cho Jung-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, met with Colin Crooks, the British Ambassador to South Korea, on October 27 to discuss ways to enhance parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
During the meeting held at the National Assembly, Cho emphasized the longstanding partnership between South Korea and the UK, stating, "The two countries have built a deep friendship and trust across various fields, including politics, economy, and culture, for over 140 years."
He also noted the significance of both nations serving as G20 chair countries this year and next, expressing hope that they can jointly address various issues and contribute to the international community.
Cho urged for the swift implementation of the improvements to the Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was finalized last year, reiterating the need for cooperation between the two parliaments.
He expressed optimism that the FTA negotiations would lead to closer collaboration in future industries such as artificial intelligence and offshore wind power, stating, "Parliamentary cooperation is crucial for enhancing bilateral relations. As Speaker, I will do my utmost and plan to visit the UK next year."
In response to Cho's requests, Ambassador Crooks affirmed, "The relationship between our two countries is not only historical but also forward-looking. We plan to sign the FTA within this year, and if the ratification bill is sent to the National Assembly, we hope it will be processed swiftly."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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