Minister Joly meets with the Republic of Korea’s Foreign Affairs Minister Park

October 14, 2022 – Seoul, Republic of Korea – Global Affairs Canada

The Republic of Korea is a key partner for Canada in the Indo-Pacific region. Ahead of the 60th anniversary of Canada-Korea diplomatic relations in 2023, the two countries are committed to deepening and diversifying their bilateral relations.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today met with Park Jin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, in Seoul.

The ministers reaffirmed that Canada and the Republic of Korea share close ties and a special friendship, strengthened by a mutual commitment to democratic values and multilateralism and reinforced by economic partnerships and innovation. 

The ministers laid out a path to advance the recently announced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Canada and the Republic of Korea, which focuses on five shared priorities. The ministers discussed these priorities which include:

• defending the rules-based international system, democracy, freedom, human rights and gender equality;
• strengthening security and defence partnerships;
• enhancing economic prosperity and security, cooperating on science, technology and innovation, and promoting trade and investment;
• addressing climate change and the environment; and
• deepening partnerships in health and culture.

The ministers also shared their vision on their respective forthcoming Indo-Pacific Strategies and agreed to continue coordinating and identifying synergies. 

The ministers expressed their objection to unilateral actions that undermine regional stability. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintain the rules-based international order, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The ministers discussed some of the world’s most pressing issues, including threats to the rules-based international order, climate change, economic security, and the energy and food crises. Reiterating both countries’ commitment to global peace and security, the ministers agreed to work together, and with other partners, to support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. 

The ministers strongly condemned North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches, which violate successive United Nations Security Council resolutions and threaten peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Minister Joly reiterated that Canada stands firmly with the Republic of Korea and other neighboring countries threatened by North Korea’s actions. The Ministers agreed to continue working with the international community to uphold regional security and advocate for North Korea’s denuclearization and call for it to return to dialogue.

The ministers also discussed human rights, noting in particular the various attempts to roll back women’s rights around the world, including in Iran, where the repression of women’s rights is ongoing. They remained steadfast in their commitment to speaking out against the violations of fundamental human rights around the world, and advancing human rights and gender equality with partners, including in multilateral and Indo-Pacific regional forums. 

The ministers also discussed the role of Canada as reliable supplier of energy to a net-zero world. Additionally, Minister Joly positioned Canada as a partner of choice for the supply of critical minerals and the ministers highlighted opportunities for further cooperation on supply chain resiliency.

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