Written by: Warwick Morris  |  Posted on: August 20th, 2015

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond visited Seoul on 10 August, as part of a visit also taking in Japan, Singapore and China to boost the UK’s relationship with the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Choi meets with UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond

According to FCO press releases, his time in Korea included a call on President Park Geun-hye, for talks about Britain’s growing partnership in trade, defence, health and development – including recent bilateral cooperation against Ebola -, a second round of strategic talks with Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, to take stock of global security challenges and future prosperity, and meetings with the Ministers for Finance and Defence Procurement. The Foreign Secretary said:

‘The partnership between Britain and South Korea is the closest it has ever been, and I believe it can become even closer in the years ahead. South Korea is a successful outward-looking democracy, playing a full role as a member of the international community.’ He said he looked forward to working ‘with this vibrant and determined nation.’

The Foreign Secretary also visited the newly-built Gloster Hill Memorial Park, where he laid a wreath at the site where British servicemen fought against overwhelming odds during the 1951 Battle of the Imjin River. He called the Memorial Park ‘a clear reminder of the historic links between the British people and the people of South Korea.’ He also made a visit to the 4km-wide Demilitarised Zone between the two Koreas.

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