Choi Jong-geon, 1st Vice Minister, Meets Canadian Ambassador to Korea... Requests Consideration for IVI Membership

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the afternoon of the 27th, Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Michael Danaher, Ambassador of Canada to Korea, and exchanged views on ways to continuously develop the Korea-Canada strategic partnership.

Vice Minister Choi evaluated that Korea and Canada have frequently communicated at various levels, including heads of state and foreign ministers, during the COVID-19 response process, and have closely cooperated in multilateral forums. In response, Ambassador Danaher appreciated that the two countries have been closely cooperating on a multilateral level, such as through the COVAX Facility, based on shared values including a rules-based international order, and expressed hope that Korea and Canada will continue to cooperate closely in areas such as the economy, human exchanges, and the Korean Peninsula issue.

Vice Minister Choi requested that Canada positively consider joining the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), which is headquartered in Korea. He also evaluated Canada’s contributions to efforts to build peace on the Korean Peninsula, including humanitarian aid to North Korea through international organizations, and expressed hope that Canada will continue to play a constructive role in advancing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

Furthermore, Vice Minister Choi expressed gratitude to the Canadian veterans who participated in the Korean War, a major participant country in the 6.25 War, and pledged active support to ensure the successful hosting of events related to the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong next year.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Choi and Ambassador Danaher agreed that Korea and Canada, as like-minded countries sharing values such as democracy, human rights, and rules-based multilateralism, and as middle powers promoting global cooperation, need to communicate and cooperate more closely on various regional cooperation issues and other matters.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.