Issue #06 July 15 2013
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
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Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations
between Korea and Canada
From the Ambassador's Desk
On July 10th, the Embassy hosted a very special "Speakers Series", our fifth event since the memorable commencement in March 2013.
The theme of our lecture, "Artic Kaleidoscope… The People, Wildlife, and Ever-Changing Landscape", was both timely and relevant in light of Canada's assumption of the chairmanship of the Arctic Council and Korea's attainment of permanent observer status.
To launch the beginning of this new and exciting area of cooperation between our two countries, we were honoured to have the highly accomplished and award-winning photographer, Michelle Valberg, here with us to share her unique thoughts, images, and stories about Canada's remarkable Arctic frontier.
Over 120 participants got the rare opportunity to envision, discover, and study the Arctic, without having to board a plane or withstand its freezing temperatures. Michelle's amazing photographs broadened our knowledge and awareness of the Arctic's landscape, wildlife, and people, and awakened the explorer in all of us. Her professional and captivating presentation was truly inspiring and I encourage everyone to view her work, witness the beauty and diversity of Canada.
I wish Canada great success during its chairmanship and reaffirm Korea's deep commitment to achieving the key goals of the Arctic Council.
Sincerely,
Foreign Policy News
President Stresses Korea-Australia Cooperation in Defense and Security
President Park Geun-hye met with Australian ministers of foreign affairs and defense on July 2 at Cheong Wa Dae to discuss ways to enhance Korea-Australia ties and boost bilateral cooperation and exchanges in security and defense and cooperation on North Korean issues.
Inter-Korean Working-level Talks on Mt. Geumgang Tour and Reunion of Separated Families
The R.O.K. government proposed to hold inter-Korean governmental working-level talks on July 6th.
North Korea notified through the liaison officers at Panmunjeom on July 10th that it will put off the proposed working-level talks on tours to Mt. Geumgang and the reunion of separated families.
North Korea stated that the reason for the postponement was to focus on solving the issues on the Gaeseong Industrial Complex(GIC), as stated by the R.O.K. government on July 10th. The R.O.K. government urges North Korea to come out to the Inter-Korean Red Cross working-level contacts in order to solve the humanitarian issue regarding separated families.
Foreign Ministers Seek Diplomatic Cooperation in ASEAN Region
Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se attended the 16th Foreign Ministers' Meeting between the Republic of Korea and ASEAN, as one of its co-chairs. In the meeting, the two sides reviewed the progress in ROK-ASEAN relations and discussed its future direction, as well as ways to work together to support the launch of the ASEAN community and ways to strengthen ROK-ASEAN cooperation on the occasion of the 25th anniversary (year 2014) of ASEAN-ROK official relations. Minister Yun highlighted the willingness of the new ROK government to strengthen its relations with ASEAN and requested that ASEAN support the ROK's position on North Korean issues.
2013 Meeting of Consuls-General of the ROK Takes
Place
The First Meeting of Consuls-General since the launch of the Park Geun-hye government took place from July 8 to 11. A total of 53 consuls-general and heads of vice-consulates and consular agencies, who have jurisdiction over each area around the world, discussed and shared their initiatives and ideas to open an "era of happiness of the people" abroad.
The Consulate-General is one of the agencies most closely related to the "happiness of the people." While the Embassy focuses on the big picture of a relationship between two countries, the Consulate-General has the responsibility of protecting the safety and rights of overseas Koreans. In addition, the Consulate-General contributes to "economic revival" by supporting ROK companies' creative activities and participates in "cultural renaissance" by sharing Korean culture with people across the world.
Embassy Activities
Launch of Special Edition Silver Dollar for 60
thAnniversary of Korean War
To join Canadians in honouring Canada's Korean War veterans, the Royal Canadian Mint has issued a special edition silver dollar commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.
This new collector coin was unveiled at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa on July 9th.
"The Royal Canadian Mint has honoured Canada's veterans through many coins in recent years and it is proud to honour them once more with a special edition silver dollar commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Korean Armistice," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "By preserving the central design of the original Korea Medal awarded to Commonwealth forces who served in the Korean War and donating part of the proceeds from the sale of each coin to Canadian Korean War Veteran organizations, the Mint is remembering and thanking thousands of Canadian men and women for their historic efforts and sacrifices."
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
19
July
Commemorative Naming Ceremony
Councillor Steve Desroches, Deputy Mayor of the City of Ottawa, with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, will be hosting an Official Commemorative Naming Ceremony on July 19th at
1:00pm for Mr. Gus Este.
In honour of the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice and the Year of the Korean War Veteran, Ottawa will name the City park at 26 Brookstone Street in Barrhaven 'Gus Este Park' after the life-long community volunteer and Korean War veteran Mr. Gus Este.
Originally from St. Hubert, Quebec, Gus Este joined the Canadian Army Special Force, raised for the UN operations in Korea, in 1950. After serving 13 months in Korea as a medic, Mr. Este returned home to work as a civil servant for three years, before re-enlisting into the Canadian Postal Corps. Throughout his 33 years of military service, Mr. Este rose through the ranks and travelled across the entire Middle East region, participating in tours to Germany, Egypt, and Cyprus, among others.
Since his retirement in 1987, Mr. Este has devoted his time to volunteering with national and local organizations, serving as: District Governor of Lions Clubs International; a member of the Nepean Public Library Board, the Mayor of Nepean’s Task Force on Visible Minorities, the Ontario Lung Association, and the Head Injury Association; and former President of Branch 641 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
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SNAP SHOTS: IN THE LIFE OF THE AMBASSADOR
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2013 Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada
