Korea-Canada Celebrate 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations, Expanding Security, Economic, and Human Cooperation (Comprehensive)

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Holds Summit with President Yoon
Strengthening Security Commitment, PM Trudeau Supports 'Bold Initiative'
Achievements from Critical Minerals Supply Chain Cooperation to Working Holiday Expansion

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau significantly expanded the scope of cooperation between South Korea and Canada on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Substantial achievements were made not only in defense and security but also in supply chain management centered on critical minerals, as well as in cultural and human exchanges. The two leaders reaffirmed the strength and depth of the bilateral friendship by pledging solidarity for peace, democracy, and justice; solidarity for sustainable growth and prosperity; solidarity for human ties; and solidarity for the future.

On the afternoon of the 17th, President Yoon announced the "Republic of Korea-Canada 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Joint Statement" expressing the two countries' will to cooperate immediately after the Korea-Canada summit held at the Yongsan Presidential Office with Prime Minister Trudeau.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are taking a commemorative photo before the Korea-Canada summit held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 17th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Shared Values and Priorities Progress Agreed Upon... Trudeau Supports "Bold Vision"

In the statement, President Yoon emphasized that the two countries have formed human ties since the late 19th century, strengthened them during the Korean War, and have steadily maintained solidarity over 60 years through mutual embassy establishments, the Korea-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the Science and Technology Innovation Agreement. Canada is also the third largest participant country in the Korean War, following the United States and the United Kingdom, having deployed 27,000 soldiers.

In particular, the two leaders agreed to advance shared values and priorities together in multilateral and regional forums, including the United Nations, the Group of Twenty (G20), and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). They also committed to continuing cooperation to uphold a rules-based international order, democracy, freedom and human rights, and the promotion of gender equality, and to take joint actions in various organizations and initiatives. As part of this, Prime Minister Trudeau expressed support for South Korea's bold vision aimed at denuclearization, peace, unification, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, pledged efforts to monitor the implementation of UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea, and promised Canada's participation in regional multinational maritime operations and expanded naval activities.

Regarding North Korea, Prime Minister Trudeau stated, "We will continue to work closely with South Korea and the international community to respond to North Korea's actions that violate UN Security Council resolutions and destabilize the North Pacific region." He condemned North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear programs and urged North Korea to return to denuclearization talks as a sustainable path toward long-term peace, security, and prosperity. On human rights abuses and welfare issues in North Korea, the two leaders emphasized, "We will continue to strengthen cooperation to protect and promote North Korean human rights, hold accountable those responsible, and improve the living conditions of North Korean residents."

The two leaders also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and its people. The joint statement included the message, "We strongly condemn Russia's illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine in the strongest terms and will continue to work closely with the international community to respond to Russia's serious violations of international law and human rights abuses." It also stated, "We will continue to provide the political, security, economic, and humanitarian support that Ukraine needs."

Annual Quota for Working Holiday Expanded... Opening the Door to Cultural and Human Exchanges

The summit also highlighted the expansion of cultural and human exchanges beyond defense and security. First, to revitalize youth exchanges, the annual quota for working holiday visas was tripled. To mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the annual quota was expanded from the existing 4,000 to 12,000. The existing working holiday agreement was fully revised into a "Youth Exchange MOU," and the age limit was adjusted from 18-30 years to 18-35 years.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on critical minerals was also signed. The two countries agreed to establish a comprehensive cooperation system covering the supply chain of critical minerals essential for advanced manufacturing industries, as well as clean energy transition and overall energy security. The Presidential Office expressed expectations that cooperation with Canada, a producer of critical minerals such as nickel, will strengthen the competitiveness of Korean companies in the clean energy sector.

The development of the "2+2 High-Level Economic Security Dialogue" is also an anticipated highlight. The day before, the two countries held a Korea-Canada foreign affairs and industry 2+2 dialogue and launched a high-level communication channel to respond to economic security issues. Accordingly, the two countries agreed to share evaluations of economic security policies and discuss supply chain and clean energy cooperation through the high-level dialogue channel.

Additionally, President Yoon welcomed Canada's efforts to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). He added that they agreed to actively support discussions with member countries so that Canada can participate in the IPEF as soon as possible.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who visited Korea, shake hands after a joint press conference at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 17th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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