King Charles chills with Koreans in London over bingsoo

Gearing up for President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to Britain, King Charles indulged himself in Korean shaved ice, bingsoo, in London's Korea Town in New Malden, England, on Wednesday.

King Charles speaks with the owners of a Korean dessert shop in New Malden, England, and points at bingsoo, or Korean shaved ice, on Wednesday during his visit to the Korean community there. [REUTERS]

Gearing up for President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to Britain, King Charles indulged himself in Korean shaved ice, bingsoo, in London's Korea Town in New Malden, England, on Wednesday.

Charles, accompanied by the Korean Ambassador to Britain Yoon Yeo-cheol, visited the neighborhood to meet members of the Korean community there and try Korean dishes.

This is his first visit to the Korean community in the country.

Charles speaks with the Korean Ambassador to Britain Yoon Yeo-cheol and members of the local Korean community to hear about Korea's culture and cuisine in New Malden, England, on Wednesday. [AP]

He received a table full of Korean dishes celebrating his birthday on Nov. 14. He was also given a recipe book for kimchi and kimchi packaged in silk as birthday gifts.

Charles receives a package of kimchi during his visit to the Korean community in New Malden, England, on Wednesday. [CTV NEWS SCREEN CAPTURE]

"Will it blow my head off?" Charles joked, noting he can't handle spicy food well.

According to Ambassador Yoon, Charles was already aware that kimchi was made of cabbage and had a curious look when he was told kimchi is a fermented dish.

Then, he went into a Korean-owned dessert shop where he learned about Korean desserts, most notably, bingsoo, a Korean-style shaved ice.

Also, during his casual talks with young people at the cafe, Charles showed interest in K-pop, wanting to learn more about the genre.

Charles walks out of a Korean dessert shop in New Malden, England, on Wednesday. [COLIN CROOKS TWITTER]

"King Charles invited the Korean President for the first state visit to the U.K. after his coronation. His visit on Wednesday proves that Korea has become the Britian's key partner in the post-Brexit era, symbolizing Korea's alleviated status," a Korean resident in the New Malden community said.

Charles is welcomed by the Korean community in New Malden, south-west London, England, on Wednesday. [EPA]

"King Charles getting connected with Korean people and experiencing Korean culture could be a constructive moment in shaping the direction of Korea-Britain ties," Ambassador Yoon said.

"King Charles enjoyed meeting and chatting with [members of the Korean community]. It showed his sincere attitude in embracing and comprehending Korean culture and could be a huge encouragement for Koreans in Britain," he added.

Charles on Tuesday said that he "looks forward to welcoming the president of the Republic of Korea and Kim Keon Hee for a state visit later this month" during his first King's speech at the state opening of parliament.

President Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee will be in London from Nov. 20 to 23. He will be the first head of state to make a state visit to Britain since Charles's coronation in May.

President Yoon will deliver an address at the British parliament on Nov. 21 and meet with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Nov. 22.

The two countries are set to adopt a Korea-Britain accord detailing the future direction of bilateral cooperation on the occasion of the state visit.

BY HAN JEE-HYE, LEE SOO-JUNG [lee.soojung1@joongang.co.kr]