Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Defense minister Suh Wook met with newly-appointed Canadian ambassador to the ROK
The two sides discussed the security situation in the region and a plan to invigorate personnel exchanges 

On the morning of February 9, Minister of National Defense Suh Wook met with Mark Fletcher, the newly appointed Canadian ambassador to the Republic of Korea (ROK), at the main building of the ministry. At the meeting, the two men exchanged opinions on a plan to strengthen ROK-Canada defense cooperation, as well as the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

“Our two countries have continued to build our bilateral relations, including through a strategic partnership in 2014, since diplomatic ties were first established in 1963,” Suh said, adding that “the two countries have also continued bilateral exchanges, as well as multilateral exchanges, including Asia Security Summit (Shangri-La Dialogue) and Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD), in the area of defense.”

Responding to Suh, Fletcher asked for the ROK’s attention and support, stressing that “Canada is hoping to take defense cooperation with the ROK to another level, as next year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of ROK-Canada diplomatic ties.”

Celebrating the successful holding of the ‘4th UN Peacekeeping Ministerial meeting’ last December, Fletcher also promised that “Canada will actively contribute to the UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) in various areas, including by providing finance and troops,” and expressed his hope that the two middle powers in the region can strengthen bilateral cooperation in the area of PKO.

Suh and Fletcher agreed to invigorate their bilateral cooperation in the area of defense, including high-level personnel exchanges, as soon as the COVID-19 situation is stabilized.

임채무 By Chae-Mu, Im <lims86@dema.mil.kr >

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