Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho meets
with Canadian Ambassador to South Korea Tamara Mawhinney to discuss
Korean Peninsula issues and ROK-Canada cooperation
November 13
□ On Monday afternoon, November 13, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho
met with Tamara Mawhinney, Canadian Ambassador to South Korea, and
exchanged views on the state of the Korean Peninsula, North Korea
policies, and North Korean human rights issues.
□ The two sides acknowledged the significance of the 60th
anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Canada
this year and agreed that their relationship is developing further
after being elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
□ Minister Kim expressed gratitude for Canada’s significant
contributions to the defense of freedom and peace on the Korean
Peninsula as a participating nation in the Korean War and a part of
the UN forces.
o Moreover, the minister asked for the Canadian government’s
support and cooperation, noting the South Korean government’s efforts
for the denuclearization of North Korea and to resolve issues
pertaining to North Korean human rights and the forced repatriation of
North Korean defectors.
□ Ambassador Mawhinney explained that Canada, at both the government
and embassy levels, is actively working to improve human rights in
North Korea, and expressed her hope for closer cooperation with the
South Korean government.
□ In addition, both sides agreed on the significance of multilateral
efforts in improving North Korean human rights and the necessity for
mutual cooperation in this regard.
□ The meeting is part of efforts to share and expand support for the
vision of “a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and at peace,” and
the Ministry of Unification will continue to engage more in
communications with countries that share the same values.
//The End//