In an email interview with The Aju Business Daily to mark the 60th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, Amb. Wightman said, "With President Park Geun-hye's focus on the creative economy, I hope we'll see more cooperation in this area.
"For example, our creative industry is one of the largest in the world, generating £70,000 every minute for the U.K. economy," he said.
The ambassador said both countries are in the middle of a major infrastructure program in the U.K. and several Korean companies are seriously considering investment in these programs.
"I want to encourage more to take advantage of these opportunities," he said.
Amb. Wightman said it is time for the two countries to discuss ways of working together in third markets.
"We have already seen great cooperation between British and Korean firms in Abu Dhabi, for example, on energy projects. We're really keen to identify other potential projects around the world," he said.
The following are questions and answers made in the interview.
Q: This year marks the 60th anniversary since the armistice of the Korean War. How do you feel as the ambassador of a country that took part as U.N. forces, and is there anything you would like to say to South Korean citizens?
A: I am immensely proud of the courage and bravery of British forces during the Korean War. Every year, I have the honor of welcoming veterans of the war to Korea, and meeting them is one of the greatest privileges in my job. The warmth with which they are welcomed by our Korean hosts is evidence of the strong bond formed between our countries. More than 1,000 British servicemen lost their lives in the war and I know their sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Q: South Korea is well known for its rapid achievement of industrialization and democracy after the war. I believe this may have a deeper meaning to you as the ambassador of a combatant nation. How do you feel?
A: South Korea is a remarkable success story. Less than 50 years ago, South Korea had a GDP that was equivalent to some of the poorer countries in sub-Saharan Africa - that's so easy to forget when you look around the gleaming metropolis that is Seoul. Our veterans are always amazed by the high-rise buildings, bright lights and cutting-edge technologies they see when they return to Korea. I know it gives them great satisfaction to see that their efforts helped give rise to this dynamic country. It’s also clear that Korea’s rise is largely attributable to the hard work and dedication of its people, a trait that is still enshrined in Koreans today.
Q: What you do think is necessary to develop the cooperative and friendly relationship between South Korea and Britain?
A: The U.K. and Korea have a deep friendship based on shared values and principles. This year, we mark 130 years of diplomatic ties and all of us at the British Embassy are working to ensure those links are even deeper and stronger in the years ahead. One of the key strengths of the relationship is the fact that it is multi-faceted: we’re working on a strategic dialogue at political level; our bilateral trade continues to grow; more and more Korean students are studying in the U.K.; and there are frequent cultural exchanges. With President Park’s forthcoming state visit to the U.K., and the 130th anniversary of relations, this year represents a tremendous platform to boost ties and secure prosperity for both countries.
Q: Tensions are heightening on the Korean Peninsula over Pyongyang’s nuclear activity. What you think is a possible means to ease the growing tensions?
A: Like South Korea, the U.K. strongly supports the firm international response to recent provocations by North Korea. We have made clear to the North Korean authorities our serious concerns about the human rights situation and their nuclear and missile development programs. We call on North Korea to take steps to demonstrate its commitment to denuclearisation and begin to establish more trust on the peninsula.
Wightman served as British charge d'affairs in Rome, Italy; head of the foreign ministry's global economic bureau; and chief of Asia-Pacific affairs at the ministry. He also worked as deputy negotiator at the preparatory committee of the G-8 summit in Tokyo in 2008.
He assumed the ambassadorial post in Seoul in November 2011.
Wightman is a recipient of the "Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George."
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Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com