King Charles III of Britain hosted a lavish banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, welcoming South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife in a state visit aimed at strengthening trade and defense ties between the two countries. The UK government hopes that this visit will solidify its "Indo-Pacific tilt" in foreign and trade policy. The banquet was attended by over 170 guests, including members of the popular K-pop girl group Blackpink, whom the King praised for their efforts in promoting environmental sustainability. Queen Camilla and Princess Kate wore stunning tiaras for the occasion, adding to the grandeur of the event.

Earlier in the day, President Yoon and his wife were welcomed by the King and Queen at Horse Guards Parade, where they inspected rows of soldiers. The couple then traveled to Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn coach, greeted by British and Korean flags lining the streets. During the state visit, President Yoon is scheduled to hold discussions with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak focused on trade, technology, and defense.

The two countries will work together on enforcing UN sanctions on North Korea and curbing smuggling activities. They will also launch talks on an upgraded free trade agreement to replace their current deal and explore opportunities for cooperation in defense and technology, including artificial intelligence. Additionally, Britain plans to invest in South Korean semiconductor manufacturing to diversify the supply of crucial computer components. As many advanced chips are currently produced in Taiwan, concerns about future supply have risen due to the pandemic and an increasingly assertive China.

The state visit reflects the UK's commitment to forging new partnerships and trade deals outside the European Union. The country has already finalized trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand and has joined the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). President Yoon's visit is expected to drive investment, boost trade, and strengthen the friendship and global stability between the two nations.