Park set to take part in UN summit: Blue House

President Park Geun-hye is set to travel to Canada later this month as a state guest and then on to New York to attend the United Nations Climate Summit, the Blue House confirmed yesterday.

Her visit to Ottawa comes six months after Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper journeyed to Seoul. The meeting between the two heads of state through mutual state visits was the first in 15 years. Korea and Canada forged diplomatic ties in 1963.

During her three-day stay in Ottawa from Sept. 20 to 22, President Park is scheduled to hold talks with the Canadian premier. Governor General David Johnson will also host a banquet in her honor.

Discussions will mainly revolve around stepping up bilateral cooperation around energy, natural resources, culture, technology and science, as well as endeavors in the Arctic.

Heading down to New York, the president is set to participate on Sept. 23 in the UN Climate Summit, during which she is expected to expand upon the Korean government’s efforts to drive economic growth on the back of climate change initiatives.

The gathering brings together business executives and political leaders from around the world, including U.S. President Barack Obama.

The following morning, President Park will deliver a keynote speech at the UN General Assembly to elaborate on Korea’s willingness to contribute to international peace, security and human rights development, among a range of key activities at the UN. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong is also set to speak at the General Assembly on Sept. 30.

Park’s speech will be followed by another speech at a meeting of high-ranking officials at the UN Global Education First Initiative, which will be presided over by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

As the leader of the host country for the 2015 World Education Forum, Park will also account for Korea’s education policies and strategies, which Obama has recently praised.

Later in the day, President Park will participate in the UN Security Council meeting, to be chaired by Obama. According to American media reports, he is expected to pursue a resolution giving UN legitimacy to a military campaign targeting ISIS militants in Syria and Iraq.

It will be the first time a Korean president joins the council meeting.

BY SEO JI-EUN [spring@joongang.co.kr]