**Seoul, South Korea** – During her recent visit to **Seoul**, Britain’s Princess Anne underscored the critical need for greater confidence, robust professional networks, and continuous support for highly qualified women in **South Korea** to successfully transition into leadership positions. Her remarks came as she attended the high-profile launch of a British-backed **career development program** aimed at empowering future female leaders.
Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal and younger sister to King Charles III, was a key attendee at a special reception for the fourth cohort of the **Empower Program** held at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. There, she engaged directly with an inspiring group of women leaders and aspiring professionals spanning critical sectors such as **science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM)**, and various other essential fields.
Addressing the program participants, Princess Anne highlighted a crucial aspect of career progression: “However competent you get at a subject, being a little bit higher up the order in terms of the business or the relationships also requires a step up in a different sort of confidence.” This insight underscores her belief that technical expertise alone isn’t sufficient for senior roles.
She further elaborated that while the women present were already exceptionally qualified for advancement, ascending to **senior leadership roles** necessitates comprehensive support systems that extend well beyond mere technical proficiency.
Emphasizing their readiness, she stated, “You are more than well qualified for the next steps,” before adding a vital caveat: confidence, while quickly gained, can also be easily eroded, making sustained support paramount.
To foster and maintain this crucial confidence, Princess Anne advocated for robust strategies including dedicated **mentoring** programs, dynamic **peer networks**, and direct **access to senior leaders**. These elements, she noted, are vital for helping women overcome persistent barriers to **career advancement** and solidify their presence in leadership positions.
Concluding her address on the program’s impact, she affirmed, “If this cohort of Empower helps you to get past that stage, to give you the confidence to move on, then it is doing exactly” what the transformative **Empower Program** was meticulously designed to accomplish.
The **Empower Program**, initially launched in 2023, is an intensive year-long **leadership development initiative**. It is strategically organized and delivered through a collaborative partnership between the **British Embassy Seoul**, the **British Chamber of Commerce in Korea**, and the prestigious UN Women Knowledge and Partnerships Center, underscoring a strong commitment to **gender equality** and **women’s empowerment**.
This pivotal program is specifically designed to support **mid-career women** by offering comprehensive workshops, personalized mentoring, invaluable networking opportunities, and direct access to influential senior leaders. Beyond individual growth, Empower also equips participants to champion **gender equality** and foster **inclusive leadership** environments within their respective workplaces.
Princess Anne’s recent visit marked her first return to **South Korea** since the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, signifying the enduring bond between the two nations. Her intensive three-day itinerary included a range of engagements aimed at strengthening **bilateral cooperation** across diverse sectors, including **veterans affairs**, **defense**, **advanced industries**, and **fashion**. A significant highlight was her private meeting with **President Lee Jae Myung** on Tuesday, reinforcing diplomatic ties.
Further showcasing the depth of UK-Korea collaboration, Her Royal Highness also toured cutting-edge **technology facilities**. These included a visit to a **Hyundai Motor-backed future mobility laboratory** and an **SK hynix semiconductor minifab** located at Korea University, demonstrating shared interests in **innovation and advanced industries**. She was accompanied on these important visits by her husband, Vice Adm. Sir Timothy Laurence.
Princess Anne concluded her impactful visit to South Korea with her scheduled departure for Bangkok on Thursday, leaving a lasting impression on the growing partnership between the UK and South Korea.
