1. In Ottawa, Canada, on August 29, Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam met with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ian Shugart of Canada for in-depth discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, ways to step up substantive cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Canada, and global issues.

2. The Vice Minister and the Deputy Minister shared the view that the series of provocations by North Korea, including the recent launch of a ballistic missile, poses a grave challenge and threat to the international community and that the international community should double diplomatic efforts to induce with pressure and sanctions the North to abandon its nuclear ambitions and stop provocations. They agreed to remain in close communication and collaboration with each other to that end.

° In particular, Vice Minister Lim extended appreciation to the Canadian government for its consistent support for the ROK government’s efforts to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula, asking for its constant support. Deputy Minister Shugart, saying in response that Canada stands ready to do what it can, reaffirmed the Canadian government’s unwavering support.

3. In addition, the Vice Minister and the Deputy Minister noted with appreciation that since forging “strategic partnership” in 2014, their two countries have been opening a new chapter in the development of the bilateral relations, including by concluding a FTA and the Agreement for Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation. They agreed to step up substantive bilateral cooperation in a mutually beneficial manner and to work closely together on regional and other multilateral stages as major middle power countries in the Asia-Pacific region and based on their shared values and strategic understanding.

° Vice Minister Lim voiced hope that the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will serve as an opportunity for Canada, a winter sports powerhouse, to increase exchanges with the ROK. Deputy Minister Shugart responded by expressing willingness to work closely with the ROK toward the success of the Pyeongchang event.

4. The ROK-Canada vice foreign ministerial meeting on August 29, which came merely three months after the latest of its kind in Seoul in May, carries significance as part of the efforts to maintain the momentum of robust high-level consultations between the two countries under way since the launch of the new government in the ROK. Furthermore, it is seen to have contributed to the efforts to increase substantive bilateral cooperation, seek stable progress in the bilateral strategic partnership, and step up strategic communication on Korean Peninsula issues.

※ The recent series of ROK-Canada high-level consultations includes the telephone conversation between the leaders on May 16 and their meeting on July 8 on the sidelines of a G20 event; the meeting between the Foreign Ministers on August 6 on the sidelines of the foreign ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) 2017 and their telephone conversation on August 17; and the vice foreign ministerial meeting on May 30.


* unofficial translation