Issue #11 Oct 1 2013
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
between Korea and Canada
Foreign Policy News
President to Attend the APEC, ASEAN and East Asia Summits
President Park Geun-hye is scheduled to visit Bali, Indonesia October 6-8 to attend the 21st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Following the visit to Indonesia, the President will fly to Brunei October 8-10 to attend the 16th Korea-ASEAN Summit and ASEAN+3 Summit as well as the 8th East Asia Summit.
During the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, Pesident Park will engage in discussions with the leaders of the 21 APEC member economies over such topics as APEC's role in strengthening the multilateral trading regime and APEC's vision for the region's connectivity as well as sustainable growth with equity.
Following the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, President Park will travel to Brunei to attend the 16th Korea-ASEAN Summit.
There, she will have discussions with the leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries to work out measures to promote cooperation with a view to further expanding and upgrading the Korea-ASEAN strategic partnership. On October 10, President Park will attend the 16th ASEAN+3 Summit where she will review the progress in the collaboration achieved through the ASEAN+3.
At the 8th East Asia Summit to be held on October 10, the President will discuss with other participating leaders ways to bolster regional cooperation in East Asia as well as other regional and global issues.
Foreign Minister delivers Keynote Address at the UN General Assembly
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se delivered a keynote address at the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 27.
In the first UN General Assembly speech by an official of the Republic of Korea since the launch of the Park Geun-hye government, Minister Yun spoke about the new ROK government's foreign policy vision aimed at opening an “era of global happiness”
and its “trustpolitik” strategy. He explained how the UN’s three key agenda items – peace, human rights and development – harmonize with and are embodied in the aforementioned policy priorities of the Park Geun-hye government. He elaborated on the ROK government’s position on its key diplomatic issues in light of those policy priorities.
Minister Yun also touched on the Korean Peninsula trust-building process, the Northeast Asia peace and cooperation initiative, and creation of a world peace park in the demilitarized zone.
Foreign Minister contributes article to the publication Global Asia
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se contributed an article titled
“President Park’s Trustpolitik: A New Framework for South Korea’s Foreign Policy” to the fall issue of the English-language Global Asia, published on September 27.
In his contribution, Minister Yun explains that trustpolitik is a foreign policy platform that is a natural extension of President Park’s politics, which places trust at its core. In terms of the reason for its broad support, the Minister writes that “trustpolitik is a realistic and balanced policy that has significant potential to effectively overcome the current difficulties facing South Korea, while also laying the foundation for a new Korean Peninsula, a new Asia, and eventually a new future.” He explains how trust, a concept central to President Park’s political philosophy, is reflected in the making and implementation of her foreign policy.
MOFA Spokesperson’s commentary on the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2118 for the
Elimination of Syrian Chemical Weapons
The Government of the Republic of Korea welcomes and strongly supports UN Security Council resolution 2118 (2013), a binding resolution for the implementation of the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria, which was adopted unanimously at the emergency ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council held in New York on 27 September. The Government of the ROK further commends the decision adopted on 28 September by the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, setting out technical details for the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons.
The Government of the ROK urges the Syrian government to immediately and fully comply with UN Security Council resolution 2118 and the OPCW Executive Council decision, and to fully cooperate with the UN and the OPCW in the process. Furthermore, the ROK Government expects the destruction of all chemical weapons in Syria, and the verification thereof, to be implemented in a complete and expeditious manner, in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2118 and the OPCW decision.
Unification Spokesperson’s statement refuting North Korea’s ‘Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland’
This morning North Korea announced through a statement from the 'Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland' that it will unilaterally postpone the impending family reunions, which were supposed to be held from 9.25 to 9.30 at Mount Geumgang.
It is deeply regrettable that North Korea unilaterally put off the family reunions just four days before the event, which has been prepared on a purely humanitarian basis to help heal our people’s anguish of separation.
Our government has repeatedly emphasized that South-North Korea relations should be normalized by acknowledging agreements and building trust under mutual recognition and the spirit of peace.
Creative Economy Commission holds its 2nd Meeting
The 2nd Creative Economy Commission was held under the leadership of the Minister of Science, ICT and Future Planning Choi Mun-kee on August 29.
As collaboration among all governmental ministries are critical to build an ecosystem where the vision of creative economy can be realized, related ministries jointly identified and confirmed creative economy joint projects. The Office for Government Policy Coordination and the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning will take the lead by regularly monitoring the development of the projects.
Apart from such joint projects among governmental ministries, private and public joint projects will also be actively developed.
Minister Choi emphasized that “To realize the vision of creative economy, social environments and systems first need to be established that allow youngsters with dreams, talents, and a challenger spirit to start their own businesses. To this end, reinvigorating start-up education is one of the most important tasks we face.”
Korea-Canada Relations
Ambassador Cho is selected as a Top 10 Leader in Ottawa Life Magazine
Ambassador Cho was selected among the 'Top 25 Leaders among Us' in Ottawa Life Magazine (OLM), ranking in tenth position.
OLM was established in 1996 and publishes 50,000 copies for parliamentarians, embassies, government employees, the National Press Gallery, etc.
The magazine recognized Ambassador Cho as the #10 foremost leader in Ottawa during 2013. It mentions his significant contributions in strengthening bilateral relations between Korea and Canada, as well as his efforts in paying tribute to Canada's Korean War veterans from coast to coast.
OLM selected Mr. Kevin Page, Canada’s former Parliamentary Budget Officer, as the top leader, followed by Mr. James Moore, Minister of Industry, and Ms. Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.
Embassy Activities
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Korea-Canada diplomatic relations and the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Canada, H.E. Cho Hee-yong, made an official visit to P.E.I, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick from Thursday, September 12th to Thursday, September 19th, 2013.
Ambassador’s Official Visit to Nova Scotia - Sept. 15-17
On September 14th, before arriving in Halifax, Ambassador Cho visited Mr. Glen Morrisey, a Korean War Veteran, to present him with Korea's 'Ambassador for Peace Medal'. The ceremony took place at the home of Mr. Morrissey, who, for health reasons, could not attend the medal ceremony in Moncton.
Ambassador Cho then visited Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering in Trenton and was given a briefing on that status of manufacturing by the Korean company. They also discussed ways to expand and strengthen Korean businesses within Canada and agreed to foster closer relations between the Korean Embassy and the Korean business community in Nova Scotia.
Furthermore, Ambassador Cho met with Mr. Roh Bo Kwang, President of the Korean-Canadian Community, and discussed the issues that the Korean community in Canada face. He also met with Mr. John Stringer, Honorary Consulate-General of the Republic of Korea in Halifax and exchanged opinions on the status of bilateral relations between Korea and Canada, as well as potential
areas of cooperation between Korea and Halifax.
On September 16th, Ambassador Cho met with and exchanged opinions on the bilateral relations between Korea and Canada, the on-going FTA negotiations, and economic cooperation between Korea and Atlantic Canada with The Honourable Michael MacDonald, Senator. He also hosted a commemorative wreath laying ceremony and 'Ambassador for Peace Medal' award presentation at the Veterans' Hospital (Camp Hill Veterans) for 22 Korean War Veterans; gave a special lecture at Dalhousie University and met with President Florizone to discuss ways to expand educational exchanges between Korean Universities and Dalhousie University; and met with the Korean-Canadian Community in Halifax.
Furthermore, on September 16th, Ambassador Cho met with the family of missionaries Rev. Donald Frederick Black and Dr. Oliver Avison. Dr. Avison is widely considered the founder of modern medicine and medical education in Korea. Ambassador Cho expressed his sincere appreciation and gratitude to the family members of these missionaries in recognizing their contributions to the success of modern Korea.
On September 17th, Ambassador Cho visited St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish and gave a special lecture entitled ‘2013 the Year of Korea in Canada: A Path toward a Strategic Partnership’ to more than 50 people, including Mr. Sean Riley, President of the University, Mr. Doug Brown, Chair of the Department of Political Science, professors, and students.
Ambassador's Official Visit to Saint John and Fredericton, New Brunswick - Sept. 17-19
On September 17th, Ambassador Cho visited Ridgewood Veterans Wing (hospital) and the Royal Canadian Legion in Saint John to award 'Ambassador for Peace Medals' to 38 Korean War Veterans.
These commemorative ceremonies were attended by over 100 people, including The Honourable Rodney Weston, MP and The Honourable Dorothy Shepard, Minister of Healthy and Inclusive Communities. Members of the Korean-Canadian Community in Saint John also attended the commemorative ceremony at the Legion and shared immigration issues facing Korean communities in Canada. During this meeting, it was agreed that all parties would work together to establish closer relations between the Korean Embassy and the Korean-Canadian Community in Saint John.
On September 18th, Ambassador Cho met with The Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick; The Honourable David Alward, Premier of New Brunswick; and Mr. Brad Woodside, Mayor of Fredericton. During these meetings, discussions were held on ways to advance the bilateral relations between Korea and Canada and Korea and New Brunswick, including further educational and economic cooperation.
Ambassador Cho then hosted a commemorative ceremony for the Korean War Veterans and held an 'Ambassador for Peace Medal'
Awarding Ceremony with 29 Korean War Veterans and over 150 attendees.
The Ambassador also gave an interview with CBC TV, CBC Radio, and the Daily Gleaner and shared the meaning of the 50th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations and the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, while touching on the outstanding FTA between Korea and Canada, economic cooperation between Korea and New Brunswick, and the North Korean issue.
In addition, Ambassador Cho delivered two special lectures focusing on ‘2013 the Year of Korea: A Path toward a Strategic Partnership’ at the Rotary Club of Fredericton and the University of New Brunswick. In his lectures, Ambassador Cho explained the history of bilateral ties between Canada and Korea and outlined his plan to build a strategic partnership between the two countries in the days ahead. He also met with members of the Korean- Canadian Community in Fredericton and listened to their experiences in Nova Scotia.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
13-16
Oct
South Korean Navy vessels to visit Montreal
In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and the 50th anniversary of Korea- Canada diplomatic relations, ROK Navy vessels carrying fourth year midshipmen are set to visit Montreal from October 13th to 16th, 2013. This occasion will mark the first time ROK Navy vessels will dock in Montreal, Canada.
The ROK Navy vessels will arrive at the Port of Old Montreal at 10:00 a.m. on October 13th. Upon arrival, a welcoming ceremony will be held, followed by public tours inside the ships.
On October 14th, two wreath-laying ceremonies will be performed, followed by a military parade and cultural performances, including a ROK Navy Band performance and Tae Kwon Do demonstrations. An 'Onboard luncheon' (Oct 13th 12:00-13:30) and an
‘Onboard reception’ (Oct 15th 18:00-20:00) will also be held for the public.
In honour of this momentous year in Korea-Canada relations, the Government of Korea would like to invite all those interested in joining the ROK Navy on October 13th through 15th in partaking in these memorable and special events.
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