- Ambassador Simon Smith visited the British Army cemetery on Geomundo Island for two days from the 14th, and met with Yeosu Mayor
- The city promoted COP26 hosted by the UK, sought support in the city's hosting of COP28, and discussed carbon neutrality


The British Ambassador to Korea officially visited Yeosu first time in twelve years since October 2009.

According to the city on May 17th, British Ambassador Simon Smith and his party visited the British Army Cemetery in Geomundo, Samsan-myeon on the afternoon of May 14. They visited the city hall on the morning of May 15 to share the information on COP26 in the UK with Mayor Kwon O-bong. They tried to figure out how to get support and cooperation for Yeosu's hosting of COP28 and discussed ways to respond to climate change.

Ambassador Simon Smith promoted and requested the city's participation in the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be held in Glasgow, UK from November 1 to 12, and Mayor Kwon expressed the city's willingness to participate.

In particular, Mayor Kwon said, “I look forward to the UK's support and cooperation in attracting COP28 to Yeosu,” and added, “To host the 28th COP to of UNFCCC that is going to be held in Asia Pacific, are leading twelve local governments in the central southern region led by the national government and Yeosu are working hard."

Subsequently, the two exchanged opinions on the directions of GHG reduction such as conversion to renewable energy such as offshore wind power and cooperation plans with a view to realizing carbon neutrality. The mayor explained the city's willingness to achieve carbon neutrality, which musters the public-private-industry-academia orchestration in the '2050 Yeosu Declaration of Carbon Neutrality' in April.

Ambassador Simon Smith recommended that the city will join the “Race to Zero" campaign which is guided by UNFCCC, and Mayor Kwon disclosed the city's intention to participate in the campaign as a central city to host COP28 in Korea.

Race to Zero is a campaign in which companies, cities, and regions of the world participate to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050 with the aim of accelerating the transition to a decarbonized society. Yeosu predicts believes that it is easy to join the campaign, as it is a leading climate protection city as registered in the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), which reports climate action every year.

Ambassador Smith said, “I am happy to visit Yeosu and Geomundo. Today's event shows once again through Geomundo that the breadth and history of the bilateral relationship between the Republic of Korea and the UK go far beyond Seoul and London, the capitals of the two countries.” He added, "I am pleased to have the opportunity to visit Geomundo to commemorate the British sailors buried here in the late 19th century.“

On the island in Yeosu, there are three tombs of sailors of the British Navy that once occupied the area in 1885. The city continues with the maintenance of the British military cemetery park and the surrounding environment such as its access road.

Meanwhile, COP28 will be held in November 2023, and the host country will be decided at the 26th Conference of the Parties in Glasgow, UK in November.