President Lee Jae Myung (second from left) on July 14 poses for photos with Princess Anne of Britain and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Cheong Wa Dae)

By Yoon Sojung

President Lee Jae Myung on July 14 hosted at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul a meeting with Princess Anne of Britain, the younger sister of King Charles, on bilateral cooperation in maritime affairs.

Mentioning Queen Elizabeth II's 1999 visit to his hometown of Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, President Lee asked for her impression of her visit to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' shipyard in Ulsan.

The princess said the shipbuilder "has got good links with British firms like Rolls-Royce and Babcock," adding that she visited Busan to tour its port facilities and lighthouses.

"Fortunately, there is such diverse maritime cooperation between our two countries," she said.

Earlier, the princess visited the headquarters of the shipbuilder and its shipyard to inspect the company's technical capability and review its cooperation with British counterparts.

The same day, Busan Port held a welcoming event for her and to reaffirm bilateral maritime cooperation.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries said the port was first introduced to the West under the name "Chosan Harbour" in a logbook kept by Capt. William Robert Broughton of the British Royal Navy, who arrived in Busan in 1797 aboard the HMS Providence.

Trinity House, a seafaring-related British charity headed by Anne, decided in April last year to permanently lease to Korea a large lens from the Pendeen Lighthouse, a piece of British cultural heritage. This artifact has been used for 123 years from 1900.

"I was pleased to meet Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and exchange views on how our two countries can further deepen our partnership in the years ahead," President Lee said through social media that day. "I am confident that these exchanges will further strengthen the bonds of friendship and trust between our two peoples."

Princess Anne of Britain (left) on July 14 talks to Chung Kisun, chairman of the conglomerate HD Hyundai, at the shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan. (HD Hyundai Heavy Industries)

arete@korea.kr