1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun spoke over the phone with Canada’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Marta Morgan on the morning of October 29 at the latter’s request, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including ways to develop the Republic of Korea-Canada relations; cooperation in COVID-19 response; cooperation in multilateral arenas such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); and regional affairs.

2. Vice Minister Choi noted with appreciation that the two countries have been closely cooperating at bilateral and multilateral levels from the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, and suggested that even amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic around the world, the two countries actively work together to strengthen substantive cooperation, including on economic and trade affairs and people-to-people exchanges.

o Deputy Minister Morgan also took note that based on shared values, the two countries have been closely cooperating in COVID-19 response in multilateral fora including the Ministerial Coordination Group on COVID-19 and the UN Group of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security, and at bilateral level, they have been continuing robust communication and cooperation at various levels including the leaders. She suggested continuing close communication to enhance bilateral cooperation including economic and trade cooperation.

3. In addition, Vice Minister Choi asked Canada to positively consider joining the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) headquartered in the ROK.

o The two sides also had discussion on the selection of the WTO Director-General.

4. The two sides agreed that the two countries, as strategic partners and like-minded countries on the international stage, will cooperate closely at various multilateral arenas and continue communication and cooperation on regional affairs including the Korean Peninsula as well as bilateral and multilateral issues.