Seoul, May 17 — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that his country is ready for closer cooperation with South Korea in critical minerals, clean energy and other areas.
In his address to the South Korean National Assembly, Trudeau also said that Canada would seek security cooperation to reduce threats to regional security, and would work closely with Seoul on North Korea’s denuclearization.
Trudeau said Canada stands ready to strengthen its partnership with friends like South Korea in all areas, from key minerals to clean energy solutions to high-tech innovation, adding that these areas will be the “core” of their summit. scheduled for the same day, with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Trudeau’s visit to Seoul is the first by a Canadian leader in nine years, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
It is also the first time that a foreign leader has addressed the National Assembly since US President Donald Trump in 2017.
Trudeau said stability in the Indo-Pacific and North Pacific is essential to global security, urging North Korea to return to dialogue and diplomacy.
The Prime Minister said that Canada is committed to enhancing the relationship, not only commercially, but also militarily, as a means of mitigating threats to regional security.
He also expressed Canada’s commitment to increased cooperation with South Korea in addressing the human rights situation of North Koreans.
Trudeau’s speech was greeted with thunderous applause by South Korean lawmakers and Canadian officials.
The president said he hoped that shared commitment would be renewed and a new cycle of peace, prosperity and stability would begin, in the spirit of “hwangab”, a Korean term used to celebrate a person’s 60th birthday. referring to the word.
Prior to his speech, Trudeau held a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, which was also attended by leaders of rival parties.
A joint press conference and official dinner will be held after the summit with President Yun. Trudeau is scheduled to leave for Hiroshima, Japan on Thursday to attend the G-7 summit.
