British envoy celebrates Korea-U.K. ties at first official King's Birthday Party

British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks celebrated deepening ties between Korea and Britain at the first official King’s Birthday Party hosted by the British Embassy in Seoul on Thursday evening.

From left: People Power Party Rep. Na Kyung-won, former Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Han’s wife Hong So-ja, Youngkee Crooks, British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks, Veterans Minister Kang Jung-ai and former Foreign Minister Park Jin attend the first King’s Birthday Party held at the British Embassy in Jung District, central Seoul, on Thursday evening. [PARK SANG-MOON]

British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks celebrated deepening ties between Korea and Britain at the first official King’s Birthday Party hosted by the British Embassy in Seoul on Thursday evening.

In his welcome speech to guests assembled on the lawn of the ambassador’s residence, Crooks said the event was intended “to celebrate not only the official birthday of His Majesty the King, but also the vibrant friendship between the United Kingdom and Korea.”

The British ambassador also recalled high points in bilateral relations between Seoul and London over the past year, including Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s state visit to Britain last November at the invitation of King Charles III and his signing of the Downing Street Accord with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, which Crooks called “the beginning of a new global partnership.”

Crooks also emphasized that the embassy will work to promote diversity and equality in its work in Korea.

“We believe in the power of inclusivity to unlock the potential of everyone in the U.K. and Korea — of women, ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBT community and of those with disabilities.”

Following the ambassador’s speech, Veterans Minister Kang Jung-ai delivered remarks on behalf of the Korean government to honor the sacrifices of British soldiers who helped defend South Korea during the Korean War.

The party was the first birthday celebration hosted by the embassy to honor King Charles III since his ascension to the throne in September 2022.

The British Embassy hosted a coronation party in May last year in lieu of the usual birthday party to celebrate the king and Queen Camilla’s formal crowning at Westminster Abbey in London that same month.

The King’s Official Birthday is scheduled to be celebrated on June 15 this year in Britain, but the party hosted by the country’s embassy in Korea took place a month earlier in line with previous iterations to avoid the summer heat.

The date of the celebration does not usually correspond to the reigning monarch’s actual birthday, which is Nov. 14, and differs across Commonwealth realms where Charles III is king.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]