Canada and South Korea to strengthen trade, cultural ties during Trudeau visit
Global News
The two countries will sign a memorandum of understanding to expand the trade of critical minerals and make it easier for youth from both countries to participate in exchanges.
Canada and South Korea are set to sign two agreements to strengthen trade and cultural ties during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s two-day visit to South Korea this week.
In an interview with Global News, South Korea’s Ambassador to Canada Lim Woongsoon said Trudeau and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will sign a memorandum of understanding to expand the trade of critical minerals and make it easier for youth from both countries to participate in exchanges.
“We are like minded countries. We share the same values like freedom, human rights and democracy,” said Lim. “There is no geopolitical risk in fostering our partnership.”
South Korea is turning to Canada for critical minerals in a bid to reduce their reliance on China, who supplies 80 per cent of their stock. The ambassador believes partnering with Canada will help grow Korea’s semiconductor and electric vehicle battery sector, which is the world’s second largest producer.
“Canada can be a very good choice for Korean companies to diversify their supply of critical minerals,” said Lim.
Outside of trade, South Korea will expand access to work holiday programs and create new categories to allow young Canadians to intern and work in Korea. Lim says in turn, Canada will be “ready to accommodate more Korean applicants” to Canadian programs.
Canada’s push to increase ties with South Korea is a part of the Liberal government’s Indo-Pacific strategy, which was released last fall.
The strategy aims to advance ties in the region and promises nearly $2.3 billion in new spending over five years, including for trade and military projects intended to counterbalance a rising China.
Two people were killed and 18 were injured, including three children, in the massive drone attack that spanned 10 Russian regions, officials said.
Doctors said the 88-year-old pope remains stable and has consolidated improvements in recent days, as determined by blood tests and positive responses to drug treatments.
There are 300 million people with PolG worldwide. There is currently no treatment or cure.
A woman, who identified herself on camera as Frankie while being detained, said she was 'getting arrested today for protesting Elon Musk.'
Authorities are searching on land, by air and in the ocean for the student, who went down to the beach with her friends but never returned.
Britain's Maritime and Coastguard Agency said several lifeboats and a coast guard rescue helicopter were dispatched to the scene in the North Sea.
Donald Trump said in an interview with Fox News he paused some U.S. tariffs because he 'wanted to help Mexico and Canada to a certain extent,' but added tariffs could also go up.
The man was hospitalized. The Secret Service said his condition was “unknown.” The Washington Metropolitan Police Department will investigate the law enforcement shooting.
The move comes as Hamas is believed to still have 24 living Israeli hostages and the bodies of 35 others.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his canola industry is under fire due to tariffs on Chinese EVs, "which nobody wants," to protect North American EVs, which few can afford.
Russian air strikes have killed at least 20 people, officials say, following a U.S. decision to stop sharing satellite images with Ukraine.
China announced retaliatory tariffs on some Canadian farm and food imports, after Canada imposed duties on certain Chinese-made products in October.
U.S. President Donald Trump created a task force Friday to prepare for the 2026 World Cup hosted by North America at a time when his tariffs have ratcheted up tensions.