Busan Mayor Chun Jae-soo met British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks on September 10 to discuss expanding cooperation between Busan and the United Kingdom, particularly in maritime, port and city-to-city exchanges.
The meeting at Busan City Hall came about two months after the two met during Princess Anneβs July visit to Busan and the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea.
Maritime cooperation was a major focus of the talks.
On August 22, the PanStar Acro departed Busan Port on a trial voyage using a new maritime route, with the UKβs Port of Felixstowe serving as its first European port of call before continuing to other European ports.
The two sides also discussed Busanβs relationship with the Liverpool City Region. Busan signed a friendship and cooperation agreement with the region in 2023, with exchanges covering digital and smart cities, clean energy, carbon neutrality, maritime industries and ports.
Education was another area discussed, with construction of a Busan campus of the UKβs Royal Russell School planned for Myeongji International New City.
Crooks also noted Busanβs selection as host city for the 2028 UN Ocean Conference and expressed hopes for greater maritime cooperation between the UK and Busan.
