1. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Choi Jong Kun met with Canada’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Michael Danagher on the afternoon of November 27 and exchanged views on ways to continue advancing the ROK-Canada strategic partnership.

2. Vice Minister Choi noted with appreciation that the ROK and Canada have communicated with each other frequently on COVID-19 response at various levels including the leaders and the Foreign Ministers and also closely worked together on the international stage.

o Ambassador Danagher took note that the two countries have been closely cooperating in responding to COVID-19 at the multilateral level, including the COVAX Facility, based on shared values such as the rules-based international order. He also suggested that the two countries continue to cooperate closely on economic affairs, people-to-people exchanges, and Korean Peninsula issues.

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

3. In addition, Vice Minister Choi noted that Canada has contributed to the efforts to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula including humanitarian assistance to North Korea through international organizations, and expressed hope that Canada would continue to play a constructive role in making progress on the Korean Peninsula peace process.

o Vice Minister Choi expressed appreciation to the war veterans of Canada, a major participant in the Korean War, and said that the ROK will provide full support to ensure the success of the event marking the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong next year.

4. Vice Minister Choi and Ambassador Danagher shared the view that the ROK and Canada, as like-minded countries that share the values of democracy, human rights, and rules-based multilateralism as well as middle-power countries facilitating global cooperation, need to communicate and collaborate more closely on various issues including regional cooperation.