Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, on the margins of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Prime Minister Trudeau thanked President Yoon for the Republic of Korea’s support to help Canada battle the recent wildfires and expressed his condolences to the people of Korea for this summer’s devastating floods, which have taken the lives of dozens and forced thousands to evacuate.

The leaders reaffirmed the close friendship based on people-to-people ties and strong collaboration between Canada and Korea, as the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations this year. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening democracy and the rules-based international order. Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, and both leaders agreed on the importance of improving regional security with partners – including those in the North Pacific and Indo-Pacific – and working toward a denuclearized, peaceful, and prosperous Korean Peninsula. Prime Minister Trudeau and President Yoon also spoke about enhanced defence and security co-operation between the United States of America, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, following the Camp David Summit hosted by the United States of America in August.

Highlighting their two countries’ growing and dynamic trade and investment relationship, the leaders underscored the mutual benefits of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement. They highlighted ongoing collaboration under the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Critical Mineral Supply Chains, the Clean Energy Transition and Energy Security, which was signed during Prime Minister Trudeau’s visit to Korea in May 2023. The leaders committed to continue working closely together to grow our economies and create good middle-class jobs in both countries. Prime Minister Trudeau also announced plans for a Team Canada Trade Mission to Korea in 2024.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Yoon agreed to continue working closely together to address issues of common interest as well as challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world.

Associated Links

• Canada-the Republic of Korea relations
• Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
• Prime Minister strengthens ties with the Republic of Korea
• Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement