The official website of for Global Korea Forum 2024 / Screenshot from Global Korea Forum website

This year's Global Korea Foum (GKF), an annual international conference hosted by the Ministry of Unification, has added more female panelists after being criticized for its lack of diversity.

According to the website of the GKF 2024, Friday, the panel speakers for next Tuesday's forum are comprised of 20 men and seven women, significantly increasing the female presence from its previous 4.7 percent — 20 men and one women — to over 25 percent.

The addition came after British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks decided not to participate in the event, citing concerns over the lack of gender diversity among the invited speakers, as reported by The Korea Times on Wednesday.

The British Embassy at the time officially confirmed the ambassador's withdrawal from the event, stating: "The ambassador is unable to take part in the Global Korea Forum (scheduled for Sept. 3). The British Embassy is committed to gender equality. We believe that events are enriched by the diversity of perspectives of those participating."

An official from the unification ministry said the ministry had accepted the criticism that the forum should be conducted in line with the values of gender equality.

The newly added female panelists include Korea Institite for Defense Analyses (KIDA) research fellow Kwon Bo-ram, Korea Institute for Defense Analyses head of security strategy Lee Ho-ryoung, Kangwon National University professor Chung Ku-youn, Renmin University of China professor Ahn Yin-hay, National Institute for Unification Education professor Jeong Eun-chan and Korea Peninsula Future Women's Institute Director Hyun In-ae.

British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks, left, stands next to Korean students at the British Embassy in Seoul, July 23. Courtesy of British Council Seoul