The King and Queen have rubbed shoulders with K-pop royalty as they staged a banquet in honour of South Korea's visiting President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
King Charles praised the environmental credentials of girl group Blackpink and highlighted South Korea's creativity and culture, from Gangnam Style, celebrated in the global hit by Korean rapper Psy, to the popular Netflix series Squid Game.
In his banquet speech, the King said "Koreans have created a miracle" in their journey from "wartime devastation" to a thriving country where the "industrial efficiency" he witnessed during a visit in 1992 had become the "epitome" of technological innovation.
He added: "Through their own sweat and toil, and under the shadow of tyranny and the ever present threat of aggression, over seven decades Koreans have built a bastion of democracy, human rights and freedom.
"In a world where these values are challenged, sadly, as rarely before in our lifetimes, the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of all that we hold dear."
Among more than 170 guests were leading figures from British and Korean life, from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty to Blackpink, and members of the royal family like the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal.
Listening to the King's banquet address were singers Jennie Kim, Jisoo Kim, Lisa Manobal and Rose Park from Blackpink, South Korea's biggest girl group who became the first Korean band to headline a major UK festival during the summer.
Charles also paid tribute to the Koreans' interest in protecting the environment and singled out the K-pop group for praise.
He told the guests: "I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose, better known collectively as Blackpink, for their role in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a global audience as ambassadors for the UK's presidency of Cop26, and later as advocates for the UN sustainable development goals.
"I can only admire how they can prioritise these vital issues, as well as being global superstars. Sadly, when I was in Seoul all those years ago, I am not sure I developed much of what might be called the Gangnam Style!"
During the white-tie banquet the guests dined on a menu of warm tartlet of soft poached egg and spinach puree, breast of Windsor pheasant with croquette of
Alongside the pomp and pageantry, the United Kingdom and South Korea are to launch talks on a new trade deal and sign a diplomatic accord as part of Yoon's three-day state visit.
Australian Associated Press
