Britain to launch South Korea trade talks as president visits

Britain rolled out the red carpet for South Korea's president on Tuesday at the start of a state visit intended to deepen diplomatic and business ties between the two countries as they launch talks on a new free trade agreement. King Charles greeted President Yoon Suk Yeol with a royal guard of honour following his arrival in London, and then rode with him by carriage to Buckingham Palace. Yoon, a conservative who has cited a "polycrisis" of global challenges as a reason for seeking closer ties with like-minded partners, then addressed lawmakers from both houses of parliament on Tuesday before a state banquet in his honour. "We must stand in solidarity and respond to many of the world's challenges," Yoon said in his speech, where he celebrated 140 years of diplomatic ties between the nations. "Korea stands united with the United Kingdom and the international community to fight against illegal aggression and provocations. He will hold talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday, and sign an accord on closer diplomatic ties. Under the accord, the countries will agree to work closely on areas such as semiconductors - of which South Korea is an important producer - and artificial intelligence. Britain said South Korean businesses would invest 21 billion pounds ($26.17 billion) in British renewable energy and infrastructure projects, and announced a clean energy partnership to work together on the transition to green power.