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Acting president assures British minister of policy consistency

Dec. 16, 2016 - 21:06 By 조정은

South Korea's Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn on Friday assured Britain's visiting Finance Minister Philip Hammond that there will be no marked change in policy.

The remarks were made during a meeting between Hwang and the British Chancellor who visited South Korea for one day to meet with top South Korean government officials on a host of bilateral and economic issues.

"There is no policy adjustment from our government, and state affairs are operated normally and steadily," Hwang said, emphasizing that alliance between the two countries continues to be strong.

Last week, South Korea's National Assembly passed a motion impeach President Park Geun-hye for her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal. Hwang took office as acting president following the passage.

Hwang also appreciated the British government's active role at the U.N. General Assembly that is scheduled to adopt a North Korean human rights resolution next week. The resolution calls for referring the situation to the International Criminal Court and expresses serious concerns about Pyongyang's labor exports.

"I highly appreciate the British government's active role against North Korea for conducting nuclear tests," said Hwang.

In response, Hammond said the British government will continue to develop the cooperation between the two countries.

The British minister also met with Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Yoo Il-ho, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and Bank of Korea Gov. Lee Ju-yeol.

The meetings were to discuss preparations for Britain's departure from the European Union, Britain's economic outlook and prospects for a bilateral free trade agreement between the two countries.

(Yonhap)