President Lee says Hyundai Heavy Industries has deep ties with UK; Princess Anne cites wide-ranging maritime cooperation

President Lee Jae Myung met with Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise, daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence on Tuesday to discuss maritime cooperation between South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Lee received the couple at Cheong Wa Dae that afternoon. Princess Anne arrived in South Korea for a visit running Tuesday through Wednesday — her first trip to the country in eight years, since 2018.

The two discussed ways to strengthen friendly cooperation between the two countries. When Princess Anne greeted Lee by asking whether he was keeping very busy, he welcomed her warmly. "The Korean people have long been waiting and hoping to see Princess Anne, and I am delighted to meet you as well," he said.

Lee also asked about her itinerary, noting that she had stopped by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. "I hear you visited Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan — they have quite a connection with the UK, don't they?" he said.

Princess Anne agreed. "Yes, I think that is really fortunate — there are many stories to tell," she said. "Hyundai Heavy Industries has a good relationship with British companies, including Rolls-Royce and Babcock."

She added that she had also toured port facilities in Busan. "Trinity House — the oldest institution connected with lighthouses — is based in the UK, so I went to visit the lighthouse-related sites in person," she said. "A very wide range of maritime cooperation is taking place between South Korea and the United Kingdom."

Tuesday's visit marked Princess Anne's fourth trip to South Korea in total. Lee also brought up a personal connection during the meeting, recalling that Queen Elizabeth II had once visited Andong, in North Gyeongsang Province — his hometown — during her reign.

"Princess Anne's mother visited Andong, which is my hometown," Lee said. Princess Anne replied that she was aware of the visit. "It was wonderful. My mother was very lucky to have been able to visit there," she said.

Lee then suggested she make a stop in Andong herself, but Princess Anne indicated it had not been possible on this trip because she had traveled by KTX high-speed rail.

Lee said he wished she could have stayed longer in South Korea, again expressing his delight at her visit. Princess Anne said she felt fortunate to have seen many parts of the country. "Extensive travel around South Korea is not easy, to be honest," she said. "But coming by train, I was able to take in the farmland and the scenery along the way."