Despite a minor disturbance, the schedule proceeds as planned
It was revealed that President Yoon Suk Yeol was having lunch with King Charles III of England at the time of North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite launch.
The UK daily The Independent reported on the 21st (local time) that the royal lunch and North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite launch occurred at the same time, describing the situation at the time. The Independent reported that the atmosphere at the banquet became busy as news of North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite launch arrived. The Times also quoted an insider who said the launch news caused a commotion but did not postpone the lunch schedule.
Reports state that President Yoon received a real-time report on the situation during his lunch schedule. After he finished the lunch, gallery tour, and speech at the UK Parliament, he chaired an emergency meeting of the National Security Council’s (NSC) standing committee. Cho Tae-yong, head of the National Security Office, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Chu Kyung-ho, and Foreign Minister Park Jin attended the lunch, and it seems that they provided him with the reports.
After lunch, President Yoon and Charles III visited the Korean-related collection items displayed in the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery. Reports indicated that Buckingham Palace Gallery displayed a letter from King Gojong to Queen Victoria, a portable brazier, and a vase that Queen Elizabeth II received as a gift during her visit to Korea.
Amicable Lunch and Awards
Reports describe the lunch atmosphere between President Yoon and Charles III as amicable. After the lunch, Charles III’s family awarded President Yoon the ‘Order of the Bath Grand Cross,’ the highest honor for a visiting head of state in the UK. King Charles III and his wife gave President Yoon and his wife a copy of former Prime Minister Churchill’s speech collection ‘While Stopping Birds’, Scottish Laphroaig whisky, and cashmere embroidered with the names of the national flower and their pet dog as gifts.
Suspension of Military Agreement Clause
Meanwhile, President Yoon suspended the effect of the clause limiting the reconnaissance capability against North Korea in the 9·19 South-North Military Agreement in response to North Korea’s military reconnaissance satellite launch. It was reported that President Yoon approved the 9·19 Military Agreement Partial Effect Suspension Plan through on-site electronic approval. In the 9·19 South-North Military Agreement, the South and the North agreed to stop all hostile acts in all spaces, including land, sea, and air, and set up a buffer zone.
By. Kwon Seong Jin
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