Canadian ambassador highlights strong cultural, economic ties with Korea

By Kim Hyun-bin

Canadian Ambassador to Korea Tamara Mawhinney reaffirmed the deepening ties between Korea and Canada during a special journalist reception at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul on Thursday, celebrating the ongoing cultural exchange year and bilateral relations.

Mawhinney took the opportunity to express her gratitude to members of the media for their role in strengthening Korea-Canada ties.

“Your work plays a crucial role in fostering understanding between our two countries, and we certainly appreciate the perspectives that you bring to light,” she said. “This evening and your interest in Canada’s foreign policy, in our bilateral relationship, your coverage of Canadian ministers’ visits, trade and investment projects, cultural initiatives, your participation in panels on Canada-Korea relations and your always excellent questions have played a role in strengthening the ties between our two countries.”

Mawhinney underscored the importance of continued collaboration amid global shifts.

“There’s an interesting international context as we begin 2025,” she said. “There’s lots happening at home in Canada, here in Korea and in other countries as well. But we are very enthusiastic and optimistic about 2025.”

She pointed to the action plan for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed upon last year and both nations’ Indo-Pacific strategies as key frameworks for future cooperation.

“Through that action plan and our respective Indo-Pacific strategies, we’re hoping to continue working closely together on regional and global priorities and promoting an open, free and inclusive Indo-Pacific. And I think that work is more important than ever.”

The ambassador also highlighted Korea and Canada's upcoming roles in international forums, with Korea hosting APEC and Canada presiding over the Group of Seven.

“At a minimum, we will need to give each other mutual support because it’s going to be challenging to manage those two sets of meetings. But there, too, economic security, clean energy transition, artificial intelligence and the digital economy will all feature prominently on the agendas for those two events.”

Reflecting on economic ties, Mawhinney highlighted the 10th anniversary of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

“This agreement has really moved the yardsticks on our trading relationship. The data is there—we trade far more now than we did 10 years ago, and so I think we have to give credit to that agreement,” she said.

“We’re hoping to build on these milestones to create even more impactful stories and opportunities that resonate across both of our countries. And so I hope this evening also provides an opportunity to explore some new ideas.”