OTTAWA-
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said Canada is a natural partner to boost production of electric vehicles as the two countries try to contain the risk of a more aggressive China.
During his one-day visit to Ottawa on Friday, the president praised Canada’s natural resources and research in artificial intelligence, saying they could complement his country’s work in the field of digital technology and semiconductors.
“If we cooperate in this area, digital and data technology (from Korea) and AI technology from Canada can work together, I think, and in synergy,” Yoon said in Korean at a conference. press on Parliament Hill.
Yoon has previously met Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this month at the Queen’s funeral in London and at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. From there he had short flights for his day visits to Toronto and Ottawa.
But analysts said Yoon’s visit was more than a matter of convenience, noting it was his first official bilateral visit since taking office in March.
Robert Huish, a professor of international development at Dalhousie University, said Canadians often don’t realize how deep their cultural and economic ties have been with South Korea for decades.
“Canada sometimes forgets that it’s a Pacific nation, and it’s very committed to engaging with the South Korean market,” said Huish, who researches security on the Korean peninsula.
“Going forward, there is a need to make this stronger.”
Huish said planes loaded with seafood from Nova Scotia arrived in South Korea several times a week before the COVID-19 pandemic and a network of Canada-Korea friendship groups fostered industry ties. solid.
“Canada happens to be a very strategic market for South Korea, from seafood exports to entry into electric vehicle components.”
Both could be on the agenda next month when Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne join a delegation heading to Seoul.
Yoon also thanked Canada for its support in containing the threat posed by North Korea.
Canada recently deployed a frigate as part of an ongoing multinational surveillance operation to determine if the communist regime is trying to evade sanctions. This includes monitoring vessels transferring fuel or cargo.
Friday’s meeting comes after months of anticipating Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, a document that industry groups say will clarify which countries Ottawa wants to move closer to and which countries should be lower priority due to trade barriers or human rights issues.
Countries like Britain and France have already released such documents, and the Liberals promised that Canada would present its Indo-Pacific strategy months ago. On Friday, Trudeau twice stressed that South Korea is also working on its own strategy for the region.
Also on Friday, Trudeau announced the appointment of Canada’s ambassador to China, a position left vacant since last December.
He tasked Jennifer May, a career diplomat with three decades of foreign service experience, with advancing both business and democratic values.
“China is certainly a real tough player in the region,” Trudeau said Friday. “A nuanced approach that looks after the interests of Canadians, the interests of the citizens of our democracies, is essential.
“For too long, China and other autocracies have been able to play neighbors and friends against each other, offering market access.”
At several points during his visit, Yoon mentioned Canada’s sacrifice during the Korean War, including after laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.
Earlier in the day, during a visit to Trudeau’s office in the West Block, Yoon praised his policies and support for multiculturalism.
“You are such an attractive leader; you have brought unity to Canadian society,” said a translator of Yoon in English.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on September 23, 2022.