South Korean Ambassador Cho Hee-yong hosted a frank and charming presentation while visiting the Dal campus earlier this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and South Korea. Topping the ambassador鈥檚 priority list was expressing his deepest appreciation for Canada鈥檚 sacrifice during the Korean War, including a personal message of thanks to an audience member. 聽
Ambassador Cho, who visited on September 16, devoted a considerable portion of his visit to celebrating our 鈥渟hared history鈥� and discussing ways to grow ties further between our two nations. Several times throughout the visit, he referred to South Korea and Canada as 鈥渓ike-minded countries,鈥� 鈥渟taunch allies鈥� and 鈥渋deal partners.鈥� Going forward, the ambassador feels that as聽 鈥渕iddle powers鈥� Canada and South Korea could benefit by sticking together.
Discussing relations
While the overall tone is best described as cautiously optimistic, it was apparent the relatively slow progress made on a trade agreement between South Korea and Canada weighed heavily on Ambassador Cho's mind. In particular, the ambassador would like to see some progress on the sensitive issue of importing Canadian meat and seafood urging both sides of the bargaining table to be more flexible. He was clearly passionate about this issue referring to the 鈥渟ubstantial untapped potential鈥� for trade between our two nations several times.
In response to a student question regarding the apparent Canadian push for increased diplomatic relations with China, the ambassador implored the audience to pay more attention to the Korean peninsula emphasizing our common values of freedom and democracy. He also expressed interest in increased collaboration when it comes to dealing with China.
The audience was proud to learn that AV俱乐部 is one of the best-known international universities in Korea. Ambassador Cho was visibly excited talking about the success of youth exchanges between our two nations with over 22,000 Korean students studying in Canada right now. When probed by an audience member to name South Korea鈥檚 most favoured international post-secondary institution, the ambassador wisely refused to play favorites. Instead, he took the opportunity to highlight the vital role universities play in promoting understanding and awareness.
Though the presentation was serious in nature, the ambassador could not help but show his lighter side. In particular, his envy for 鈥渙ur one giant country instead of [us] who have so many,鈥� and our 鈥渁bsolutely delicious Canadian lobster and pork,鈥� elicited quite a bit of laughter from the students in attendance.
The lecture was co-hosted by the Canadian International Council, the Centre for Foreign Policy Studies and the Department of Political Science. For more on "The year of Korea in Canada," visit