The relationship between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom will be upgraded from a "comprehensive and creative partnership" to a "global strategic partnership."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to the United Kingdom, plans to adopt the "Downing Street Accord" with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during this period, the President's Office announced on the 20th (local time).

Downing Street is the street where the British Prime Minister's official residence is located.

The leaders will meet at their official residence at 22 Downing Street on the 10nd.

In commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the Downing Street Agreement, which outlines the direction of future cooperation between the ROK and the UK, emphasizes the two countries' joint stance on issues on the Korean peninsula, including North Korea's nuclear program, and expresses their joint will to respond to global issues such as the Ukraine crisis, the Indo-Pacific, and the situation in the Middle East, according to the President's Office.

The two countries significantly strengthen cooperation, especially in the fields of defense, security, and the defense industry.

First of all, we will advance defense cooperation through the signing of the Letter of Intent for Defense Cooperation Partnership and the Joint Defense Export Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and strengthen our ability to respond to cyber threats through the Strategic Cyber Partnership.

In addition to expanding joint exercises, the two countries will also promote cooperation in defense and security, including joint maritime patrols to implement UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

We will also begin negotiations to improve the existing Korea-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and sign an MOU for semiconductor cooperation between the two countries to build a strong supply chain for the future.

The two leaders will discuss economic cooperation in future industries such as AI, digital, nuclear power, space science, biotechnology, quantum technology, offshore wind and clean energy, as well as economic cooperation to discuss macroeconomic issues and mutual investment promotion, the president's office said.

They will also declare their shared commitment to global issues, including the climate crisis, the president's office said.

"The adoption of the Downing Street Agreement and its elevation to a global strategic partnership will further solidify the 140-year-old partnership between the two countries and lay the foundation for taking our relationship to the next level for future generations of both countries," the president's office said.

(Photo = Yonhap News)