Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who visited Korea ahead of the G7 summit, said on the 17th, “Canada is ready to strengthen partnerships with allies like Korea in all areas, from core sectors to cutting-edge technology innovation and clean energy solutions.” he emphasized.
Prime Minister Trudeau said in a speech at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul that day, “This will be the main topic of discussion during the few hours I meet with President Yoon Seok-yeol this afternoon.”
“Climate change is having real and terrifying effects on our lives,” Trudeau said. War is back in Europe, affecting global supply chains and energy markets. Adversaries around the world are using our economic interdependence for their own geopolitical gains.”
“Climate policy is economic policy, economic policy is security policy, and security policy is social policy,” he said. “Citizens need us to think strategically and act with urgency. At this critical time, we must seek these solutions as best friends.”
“Canada is working with partners to accelerate the global transition from coal to clean energy,” Trudeau said. He explained that it is to accelerate clean growth and environmental protection through solidarity between governments, businesses and institutions.”
He said, “This is how we build a sustainable future together,” referring to the participation of Korea Gas Corporation in the LNT project in British Columbia, Canada, and Canada’s Northland Power in the Korean offshore wind power project, respectively.
“Canada and Korea have cooperated for a long time in the field of nuclear energy. South Korea is a leader in nuclear energy, and we will continue to work together on this zero-emission energy source.” We can find a variety of solutions,” he said.
Prime Minister Trudeau also stressed the need for cooperation to strengthen global supply chains.
“Everywhere around the world, the future is full of uncertainty and uncertainty,” he said. You can benefit from it,” he said.
At the same time, regarding cooperation in the field of security, “We must continuously protect peace, human rights, and the rules-based international order. Stability in the Indo-Pacific and North Pacific is also important to global stability.”
In particular, he urged North Korea to “continue to return to the seat of dialogue and diplomacy.” He continued, “We will work to improve cooperation with South Korea and to improve the human rights situation in North Korea.”
Prime Minister Trudeau further proposed that, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Canada, we should work together for world peace and prosperity along with the development of democracy in both countries.
Prime Minister Trudeau, who rhymed “Thank you” in Korean for the first time, mentioned that the coming 18th is the anniversary of the Gwangju Democratization Movement and said, “Democracy in Korea is a beacon of hope. South Korea’s democracy is resilient. Democracy in Korea was hard-won with the blood and sacrifice of Koreans.”
Concerned about growing dictatorships around the world, he said, “Democracy never lasts without effort. For democracy to remain at its peak, sustained efforts are needed,” he stressed.
He said that while South Korea and Canada have been in a relationship since the exchange of missionaries over 100 years ago, they have become closer through participation in the Korean War and free trade between the two countries. He also reported that the Canadian embassy in Korea was set up while his father was serving as prime minister.
Lastly, he said, “In Korean culture, the age of 60 means the end of one cycle and the beginning of another cycle. Let’s start with best friends,” he suggested.
It has been five years and six months since US President Donald Trump on November 8, 2017, when the 20th National Assembly was held, that a foreign leader visited the National Assembly and gave a speech. The summit speech is the first in a year and a month since the video address of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 11 last year.
The speech lasted about 20 minutes. About 160 people from both the ruling and opposition parties listened and applauded a total of 15 times during the speech. A minute of standing ovation followed before and after the speech.
Some lawmakers even took pictures of Prime Minister Trudeau using their cellphones. In addition, Democratic Party of Korea Kim Han-gyu and People’s Power Rep. Kim Jeong-jae took notes directly from Prime Minister Trudeau’s speech.
As Prime Minister Trudeau left the conference room after his speech, he was also spotted shaking hands with Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung while taking a photo with Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Young-jin at the request.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Trudeau, who has visited Korea for the first time as a Canadian leader in nine years, will visit the Yongsan Presidential Office at 3:30 pm on the same day to begin the summit schedule. An official dinner was scheduled after the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony and joint press conference.
In line with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, the two leaders are expected to discuss strengthening supply chain cooperation and expanding science and technology and people-to-people exchanges. North Korean human rights issues and strengthening security in the Indo-Pacific are also expected to come to the table for discussion.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.