Issue #03 June 1 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
Ambassador Cho Hee-yong's interview with the Korea Herald:
With Korea’s ever-growing thirst for energy, a free trade pact with Canada will help diversify the country’s supply lines and expand access to the North American nation’s vast resources reserves, the ambassador to Canada said Wednesday.
Seoul and Ottawa launched negotiations for a free trade agreement in 2005 but remain at odds chiefly over agricultural products such as beef and pork, and industrial items including cars.
Ambassador Cho Hee-yong expressed hopes for a breakthrough this year, which he said will bring the bilateral ties to a new level with “symbolic and strategic significance.”
Bilateral Updates
ROK becomes a Permanent Observer to the Arctic Council
The Republic of Korea became a permanent observer to the Arctic Council with the unanimous support of the Council members at its Eighth Ministerial Meeting held in Kiruna, Sweden, on May 15. The permanent observer status of the Arctic Council will entitle the ROK to take part in a wider range of activities related to Arctic issues.
The ROK’s status in the Arctic Council is expected to serve as an opportunity to promote its role and contribution to the issues related to opening up Arctic routes, protecting the Arctic environment, sustainable development of the region, vitalizing Arctic economy
and fighting climate change.
ROK to Host a ‘Constructive Powers Initiative’ Meeting
The Fourth Constructive Powers Initiative (CPI) Meeting will take place in Seoul this November, hosted by the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) under the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA). The CPI Meeting is a consultative mechanism of 1.5-track nature among middle power countries where those from think tanks and other academic circles and officials in charge of foreign policy planning of such countries discuss global issues.
Foreign Policy News
Remarks by President Park Geun-hye at a Dinner for Heads of Overseas Korean Missions
Today, I feel greatly reassured and pleased to hear you all saying that you understand the philosophy of the new Administration and, based on that, will carry out your missions with a greater sense of duty when you return to your respective posts. I look forward to your continued contributions.
Working Toward a “Diplomatic Renaissance”
The first meeting of heads of overseas diplomatic missions of the Republic of Korea since the launch of the Park Geun-hye government came to a close on May 24 after a five-day run.
The meeting served as the embarkation of diplomatic representatives of the new government on a journey to share the policy vision and priorities of the new government and carry out them at the diplomatic front.
Foreign Minister Speaks about the Evolving Situation in the Region and the Northeast Asia Peace and
Cooperation Initiative
As you all know, over the last three months since the launch of the new administration, there have been a number of serious developments and tension in the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. After the UN Security Council adopted a resolution for sanctions against North Korea following its third nuclear test, the acts of provocation by North Korea have taken more diverse forms, have been more frequent, and have also intensified in nature.
Furthermore, we have witnessed growing conflicts among countries in Northeast Asia and uncertainty in the international economic order, leading to continuing instability around the world.
Unification Spokesperson’s Statement on North Korea
North Korea, while not responding to our proposal for inter-Korean dialogue, made a misleading assertion and is misrepresenting the nature of the problem by proposing government participation to a civic organization in its 5.28 statement of the ‘Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland’.
Embassy Activities
Special Invitation to Korea Week 2013
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea cordially invites you to the celebration of “Korea Week” in Ottawa.
To celebrate the 'Year of Korea in Canada', the Ottawa Korean Community, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, and the City of Ottawa will jointly proclaim June 25th to July 1st as "Korea Week", providing Canadians with an opportunity to celebrate Korean culture and the ‘Year of Korea in Canada’.
2013 Ambassador Cup Taekwondo Championship
On Saturday May 25, 2013, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea hosted the '2013 Ambassador Cup Taekwondo Championship' in collaboration with Tae E. Lee Taekwondo at Algonquin College on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada. In attendance were more than 2,500 friends and family of the competitors, including Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa; Yonah Martin, Senator; Vadym Prystaiko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Canada; Linda Eagen, President and CEO of Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation; and Minister Oh Song from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
6-11
June
Korean Movie Night - Masquerade (2012)
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Korea-Canada Diplomatic Relations and the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea will present an evening of Korean film on:
June 6th: University of Regina, Education Building Room, 18:00
RSVP to international.relations@uregina.ca
June 10th: University of Alberta, Telus Center Room 150, 17:30
RSVP to artsevents@ualberta.ca
June 11th: University of Calgary, Science Theatre Room 148, 17:30
RSVP to uci.partnerships@ucalgary.ca
10-11
June
Ambassador's Special Lecture
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 will deliver a special lecture focusing on the past, present and future of bilateral relations between Korea and Canada, while proposing ways to develop a ‘Strategic Partnership’ in the days ahead.
June 10th: University of Alberta, Telus Center Room 150, 16:00
RSVP to artsevents@ualberta.ca
June 11th: University of Calgary, Science Theatre Room 148, 16:00
RSVP to uci.partnerships@ucalgary.ca
SNAP SHOTS: IN THE LIFE OF THE AMBASSADOR
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2013 Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada
