President Yoon Suk Yeol has said that China would not benefit from trilateral cooperation with North Korea and Russia because the three countries have "divergent interests."

Yoon made the remarks in an interview with The Telegraph, a British daily, published Sunday local time ahead of his state visit to London, stressing that China has an important role in "promoting freedom, peace and prosperity in East Asia."

"China is likely to take into consideration that pursuing trilateral cooperation with North Korea and Russia, which have blatantly violated the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions, as well as other international norms, will not be helpful for its international reputation and standing," Yoon said.

Yoon also expressed concern about military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, labeling it as "a grave violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a provocative act that threatens peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as in Northeast Asia and Europe."

South Korea, the United States and Japan intend to "actively respond" to such cooperation.

"North Korea's provision of weapons to Russia will only prolong the war in Ukraine and increase the number of casualties. In addition, if Russia offers military technologies to North Korea in return, it would threaten the security of the Republic of Korea and regional peace," Yoon said.

The Republic of Korea is South Korea's formal name.

During the interview, Yoon also called for deeper security ties with Britain, saying the world is facing a "polycrisis" of multiple conflicts and threats to humanity, according to the daily.

Yoon also indicated his trip this week would be an opportunity to build relations "in digital and AI technology, cybersecurity, nuclear energy, the defence industry, biohealth, space, semiconductors, offshore wind power, clean energy and maritime affairs."

The four-day state visit to London comes at the invitation of King Charles III.

According to the presidential office, Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee will be Britain's first state guests since the king's coronation in May, which it said highlights the special importance London places on its relationship with Seoul.

Yoon also said during the interview that the honoring of South Korea with the first state visit since the coronation of the king signals the importance of the country to Britain as a "strategic partner" in the Indo-Pacific. (Yonhap)

• ·Seoul shares edge down amid US slowdown woes; won sharply down
• ·“가자주민 삶 최악…한국지원 절실”
• ·[Herald Interview] Alex Olle’s realistic reimagination of opera ‘Norma’ keeps art form alive
• ·[Exclusive] 'Game of Thrones' publisher inks deal for Korean books for first time
• ·Seoul shares open lower on US tech slide
• ·[Today’s K
• ·Dansaekhwa master Park Seo
• ·[Herald Interview] Dyson engineer stresses potential of Korean hair care market
• ·Drug offences rise by nearly 50 percent on
• ·Chinese avant
• ·28th BIFF comes to an end
• ·NMK to extend support for Korean galleries at six museums abroad
• ·Born rich, promoted young: chaebol scions become president just after 40
• ·Lightsum's new album ‘Honey or Spice’ tickles tastebuds
• ·Election watchdog faces calls to apologize after failing security test
• ·Kia to expand EV lineup with mass market appeal