Canada's Trudeau calls for green partnership with Korea at National Assembly

Diplomacy

Published: 17 May. 2023, 11:50 Updated: 17 May. 2023, 15:17

Canada's Trudeau calls for green partnership with Korea at National Assembly

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives an address to the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Wednesday, the first speech by a foreign leader to the Korean parliament in six years. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed that his country is ready to work with Korea on critical minerals and a green partnership, along with regional security and North Korea issues, in an address to Korea's National Assembly Wednesday.

"Canada is ready to strengthen our partnership with friends like Korea on everything from critical minerals to high-tech innovation to clean energy solutions," Trudeau said, adding this will be at the core of discussions in his summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol.

He was the first foreign leader to address Korea's National Assembly in six years since then-U.S. President Donald Trump's address on Nov. 8, 2017.

Trudeau kicked off a three-day official visit to Korea on Tuesday for a summit with Yoon to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"Korea is a leader in nuclear energy, and we're going to keep collaborating on this zero-emissions energy source," Trudeau said, saying the two countries could continue to work toward coming up with net-zero solutions.

The two countries are expected to expand cooperation on critical minerals for electric vehicles (EV) and other clean energy projects.

"We have to continue defending peace, human rights and a rules-based international order," Trudeau said, in order to build a more prosperous future.

He noted that "stability in the Indo-Pacific and in the North-Pacific is essential to global stability," highlighting that through Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy revealed last fall, his country committed to increasing military engagement to mitigate threats to regional security.

Canada is also committed to the implementation of UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea.

"Canada is committed to supporting the Republic of Korea's efforts towards a denuclearized, peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula," Trudeau said. "We will continue to call on North Korea to return to dialogue and diplomacy."

He also said Canada supports advancing human rights in North Korea.

Korea and Canada must continue to "lead both on the world stage and at home," stressed Trudeau.

He said leading is about choosing, referring to South Korea's democratic movement against authoritarianism.

Recalling the Gwangju pro-democracy uprising of May 18, 1980, he said that true democracy will “always be stronger than authoritarianism.”

He also noted the two countries' friendship has grown since Canada fought alongside South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War. This includes deep trade ties and people-to-people relations.

He said the first Embassy of Canada to Seoul opened in 1973, when his father, Pierre Trudeau, was prime minister.

"It is no longer enough to be friends," Trudeau said. "We need to be the best of friends.

Trudeau said that "everything is interwoven," including climate, economic, security and social policies, and stressed the need to act strategically and with urgency.

"In this consequential moment, we must find solutions together as the best of friends," he added.

Trudeau was received by multiple rounds of applause during his address.

He had a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo ahead of the speech.

Earlier Wednesday morning, Trudeau visited the Seoul National Cemetery.

Yoon and Trudeau were scheduled to hold a bilateral summit, joint press conference and official dinner later Wednesday.

This marks the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to Seoul in nine years. Trudeau was invited to Korea after Yoon visited Canada in September 2022.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pays respects at the National Cemetery in southern Seoul Wednesday, ahead of his summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]