▲ French tourists face additional border checks as the UK leaves the European Union


January 1, 2021 was the first day the British left the European Union and welcomed it, but the road connecting southeastern England and northwestern France was peaceful as if nothing had happened.



The large cargo trucks carrying all kinds of goods went back and forth between the port of Dover in the southeast of England and the port of Calais in the northwest of France without any problems, according to the AP and AFP news agency.



The French government explained that contrary to concerns, there was no confusion due to the ease of cross-border inspection procedures with the IT system established in advance by the two countries.



It couldn't take too long as trucks had to register the necessary information online in advance and scan at the border.



"Most truck drivers (before and after Brexit) will not notice the difference," said Eurotunnel spokesman, which operates an undersea tunnel linking the UK and France.



The first truck that came to Britain from Europe on that day was a truck from Romania carrying mail and parcels, and Alexander Marech, who took the steering wheel, said "everything was normal."



Thomas Moise, who took the steering wheel together, said "I am very happy" to have the privilege of experiencing a historic moment.



Victor, from Ukraine, who drove the first freight car from England to France, said he was congratulated by colleagues.



However, when entering France from the UK, the driver had to submit a voice confirmation that he did not have Corona 19.



The French government takes action as the corona 19 mutant virus spreads rapidly in the UK.



There were also observations that the reason there was no problem on this day is that it is a holiday on New Year's Day, and the amount of movement was less than usual due to the aftermath of the Corona 19 pandemic.



70% of the trade between the UK and the EU goes through the UK and France, with an average of 60,000 passengers and 12,000 trucks passing between the two countries per day.



The UK ended our 47 years of cohabitation after joining the European Economic Community, the predecessor of the EU, in 1973 as of 8:00 a.m. yesterday in our time.



Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a video released earlier, "Freedom is in our hands, and how we can make the most of it is up to us."



(Photo = Getty Image Korea)