South Korea–United Kingdom relations

The relationship between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Korean: 한영 관계, romanized: hanyeong gwangye) spans from the 19th century to the present day. Although the Republic of Korea gives 18 January 1949 as the date of the establishment of formal relations with the United Kingdom,[1] diplomatic ties go back to the United Kingdom–Korea Treaty of 1883.[2] British military participation in the Korean War during the 1950s was significant, but relations between the two countries at the time were described as "tenuous", with relatively little known about each other. Commercial and trade relationships grew rapidly during the 1970s. During the Asian Financial Crisis in the late 1990s, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to South Korea, which was well received at a time of crisis in the country. Today, there are strong economic and diplomatic links between the two countries.[2][3]

British–South Korean relations
Map indicating locations of United Kingdom and South Korea

United Kingdom
South Korea
Diplomatic mission
British Embassy SeoulEmbassy of South Korea, London
Envoy
Ambassador Colin CrooksAmbassador Kim Geon
Celebration for the 130th Anniversary of UK-ROK relations on 23 May 2013, at the British Embassy Seoul.

According to a 2014 BBC World Service Poll, 74% of South Koreans view the United Kingdom's influence positively, with 14% viewing the UK negatively. On the other hand, opinion of South Korean influence is divided in the United Kingdom, with 45% of Britons viewing South Korea's influence positively, and 45% viewing them negatively.[4]

History

Three Royal Navy ships briefly occupied Geomun Island in 1885. The relationship between the two nations broke off during the period of Japanese colonial rule in Korea between 1910 and 1945. After the Second World War, South Korea established diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom on 18 January 1949. The United Kingdom and other British Commonwealth Forces fought alongside South Korea during the Korean War. Almost 100,000 British servicemen fought in the Korean war. Their most famous involvement was the Battle of the Imjin River, a confrontation with Chinese soldiers. 600 soldiers of the British Army took on a force of 30,000 Chinese troops crossing the Imjin River in Korea. At the end of the battle 10,000 Chinese troops had fallen. British losses stood at just 59 and this battle is considered a turning point in the war as it halted the Chinese advance. The Gloucester Valley Battle Monument is a memorial for British soldiers killed at Solma-Ri, South Korea. 1,078 British soldiers died fighting in the Korean war.

There is a British embassy in Seoul and a South Korean embassy in London.[3][5] The UK and South Korea cooperate in world events with other nations such as the United States. They have recent military relations and the UK often supports South Korea's view during periods of turbulent North Korea–South Korea relations. There were about 17,000 South Koreans living in the United Kingdom in 2011.

In November 2016, the Republic of Korea Air Force conducted a domestic air combat manoeuvering exercise with the British Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force. This was the first such exercise with a foreign nation other than the United States.[6][7]

High-level exchanges

From the Republic of Korea to the United Kingdom:

From the United Kingdom to the Republic of Korea:

See also

References
  1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea-Europe". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea. Archived from the original on 15 July 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  2. Sir Thomas Harris, former British Ambassador to South Korea (27 June 2014). "Britain's Relations with Korea: A Personal View". Gresham College. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  3. "UK and South Korea". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  4. "Negative Views of Russia on the Rise: Global Poll" (PDF). BBC World Service. 2014-06-03.
  5. "Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  6. "'Invincible Shield' - First ever UK-US-ROK Combined Air Exercise". RAF. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
  7. "Invincible Shield Military Drill Against North Korean Threat: US, UK, South Korea To Begin Trilateral Exercise". International Business Times. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 24 December 2016.
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