South Korea has called on Britain to keep a military as well as a diplomatic presence in the Pacific as the region rearms in response to tension between China and the West.
The country’s foreign minister, Park Jin, told The Times that he welcomed the government’s decision to launch its new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, with a tour of the Far East.
South Korea is building its first aircraft carrier with British assistance. On Thursday, Taiwan, another western ally, unveiled its own first home-built submarine, a response to the speed of growth of China’s navy in recent years.
“We share core values with Britain. Britain is the original advocate of democracy in the world,” Park said in an interview marking a coming state
© Times Media Limited 2023.