A new Soft Power Council convened by the government will bring leaders from sport, education, culture and business together to craft a unifying narrative that will enhance Britain’s influence around the world, says foreign secretary David Lammy

Almost ten years ago, relations between the United Kingdom and South Korea took a big step forward.

In traditional Foreign Office terms, such steps often mean a diplomatic set-piece like a VIP visit or a new bilateral agreement. But on 28 August 2015, what happened was very different. Heung-Min Son joined Tottenham Hotspur.

As a Spurs fan, I know just how important Sonny has been for the club. He is the first Asian player to win the Golden Boot, and the first Asian player to score one hundred Premier League goals. His passion and skills have given us plenty to celebrate over the years.

However, since becoming Foreign Secretary, I’ve also had the chance to see the positive impact his transfer continues to have on British interests in South Korea.

There are now 12m Spurs fans in South Korea – four times as many as there are in England. That’s good news for........

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