Canadian PM praises heroism of Korean firefighters

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks in front of Korean firefighters on their way back to Korea from Ottawa, Wednesday. Screenshot from X

By Ko Dong-hwan

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday tweeted a video clip of himself expressing gratitude to a Korean emergency firefighting team who helped his country deal with raging wildfires.

“This morning in Ottawa, I got to send off an incredible group of people. They came from Korea and spent the last few weeks battling wildfires in Quebec,” Trudeau said in the video message posted on social media. “On behalf of all Canadians ― I thanked them for their heroic work.”

The Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT), comprised of 151 personnel from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korea Forest Service, the National Fire Agency and the medical sector, arrived in Lebel-sur-Quevillon, Quebec, on July 2. Two days later, they began a month-long mission fighting the natural disaster that prompted the Quebec provincial government to declare a state of emergency.

In the 24-second video clip, Trudeau is on board a plane addressing dozens of Korean firefighters seated inside. After he speaks, the Koreans respond with a round of applause and cheers.

“So I just want to say thank you so much for being away from your families over the past weeks, for coming over here to this other side of the world to be there to help our communities and our people,” Trudeau said in the clip. “We will never forget it. Thank you for being here. Have a good flight home. And again, kamsahamnida ('thank you' in Korea).”

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol shared Trudeau's post three hours later.

“I greatly appreciate Justin Trudeau's surprise visit to the airport to bid the KDRT a bon voyage as they return to Korea,” he said in his post. “Through the joint operations of Korean and Canadian firefighters, we have reached another milestone in our longstanding friendship.”

The KDRT's latest mission carries a diplomatic initiative by the Korean government for this year that marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War coming to a halt with the signing of the 1953 Armistice Agreement. Over 6,100 Canadian soldiers fought as part of the United Nations' multinational forces against North Korea and over 500 were killed.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the two countries having formed diplomatic ties.