Yoon embarks on visit to Britain, France

President Yoon Suk Yeol embarked Monday on a weeklong trip that will take him first to Britain for a state visit, marking the 140th anniversary of bilateral relations, and then to France for a final diplomatic campaign to bring the 2030 World Expo to Busan, Yonhap reports.

The four-day state visit to London comes at the invitation of King Charles III. The presidential office has said Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee will be Britain's first state guests since the king's coronation in May, showing the special importance London places on its relationship with Seoul.

"The state visit to Britain is aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation with a key friendly nation," Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo said during an earlier press briefing, noting that South Korea and Britain share the core values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law.

Highlights of the visit will take place Tuesday.