INTERVIEW Canadian ambassador highlights 60 years of diplomatic relations, future opportunities with Korea
Canadian Ambassador to Korea Tamara Mawhinney speaks of the burgeoning Korea-Canada relations during a recent interview with The Korea Times at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Canadian Ambassador to Korea Tamara Mawhinney reflected on the robust and dynamic relationship between the two nations, marking over six decades of diplomatic ties between Korea and Canada.
"We celebrated 60 years of diplomatic relations last year, and it was a wonderful opportunity to take stock of all that we've done together," Mawhinney said during a recent interview with The Korea Times, emphasizing the deep historical and people-to-people connections that predate formal diplomatic engagements.
Speaking from the Gale Lounge, adjacent to the Schofield Lounge — both named after influential Canadian missionaries to Korea, James Scarth Gale and Frank William Schofield — at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul, Mawhinney underscored the longstanding contributions Canadians have made to Korean society.
"These two great intellectuals, missionaries and activists came to Korea from Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and tried to make a contribution to positive Korean history," she said.
The ambassador described the current state of the bilateral relationship as exceptionally dynamic, highlighted by high-level meetings and a close rapport between Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
"Given the geopolitical context, there’s a real need, an imperative, for Canada and Korea to work together," Mawhinney said, stressing that the two leaders have agreed to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, covering a broad range of domains including security, climate change and academic exchange.
"Our security is engaged in everything that happens in and around Korea; our economic interests are engaged. And I like to think that it’s the same for Korea as well," she said.
Reflecting on her diplomatic career, she expressed enthusiasm for the potential of the Korea-Canada relationship, calling it "the most dynamic and constructive" she has encountered in her 31 years as a diplomat.
Canadian Ambassador Tamara Mawhinney holds an artwork presented by Korean artist Pixel Kim Hyun-woo in front of the Year of Cultural Exchanges sign at the Canadian Embassy in Seoul. Courtesy of Canadian Embassy in Seoul
Cultural exchange
Looking forward to future initiatives, Mawhinney outlined the significance of designating this year and next as a period for cultural exchange between the two nations.
"It’s an effort to encapsulate all the potential of our people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges, youth exchanges, academic exchanges," she explained, emphasizing the importance of fostering academic partnerships, with Canadian universities such as the University of Toronto already engaging in numerous collaborations with Korean counterparts.
A significant development from last year’s summit was the increase in Youth Mobility Program (working holiday) for students, which has been raised to 1,200. This initiative aims to enhance the student experience by allowing them to work while studying, thereby improving their living conditions and academic opportunities.
"We want to give support to the Canadian studies and the Korean Association of Canadian Studies to help them build Canadian curriculum and share perspectives on Canada with students here in Korea," Mawhinney added.
The ambassador also touched on the growing interest in Korea among Canadians, particularly among young people.
"There’s a lot of interest in all things Korean in Canada. We've identified Korea as a priority market," she said, acknowledging the popularity of the Korean wave and its cultural impact globally, including in Canada.
Economic, trade relations
Mawhinney emphasized the robust trade relationship between the two nations.
"Korea is Canada’s seventh-largest merchandise trading partner, eighth-largest export and sixth-largest import partner. Merchandise trade has increased 80 percent and sits at 20 billion Canadian (dollars) ($21.9 billion U.S.) annually," she said.
The ambassador highlighted the success of a recent Canadian trade mission to Korea, highlighting the strong and expanding economic ties between the two countries. The core component of the delegation was 150 small businesses visiting Korea to explore opportunities. These businesses participated in nearly 700 business-to-business (B2B) meetings.
"The embassy, with some outside assistance, introduced them to companies and interlocutors in Korea that might yield interesting partnerships," Mawhinney said. "Every single one of those 700 contacts has led to some concrete partnership, MOU or business development project."
The delegation included representation from various sectors, including creative industries, agriculture and agro-food, life sciences, clean energy and natural resources.
"There’s been a natural interest from Korea to engage with Canada, really wanting to create those connections among companies. The minister (Mary Ng, minister of export promotion, international trade and economic development) was here to support that," she said.
During her visit, the minister met with Korea's Minister for Trade Cheong In-kyo to explore ways to further bolster trade between the two countries.
Ministerial meetings and discussions about the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA) were also pivotal. "She [Mary Ng] started her program with a meeting with her colleague Minister Cheong, and they launched a joint commission on our Free Trade Agreement," Mawhinney said. "The trade mission also speaks to the unique success of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement."
Franey Trailhead in Nova Scotia, Canada / Courtesy of Destination Canada
10th anniversary of Korea-Canada FTA
Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Korea-Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and the ambassador highlighted the significant growth over the last decade.
"Next year, we will celebrate 10 years. Our trade has increased 82 percent as a result of that agreement," she said. "For those of us like Canada and Korea who support a rules-based international order, the free trade agreement shows there are demonstrable results."
Investment and regulatory cooperation have also flourished under the FTA, most notably Korean investments into the Canadian electric vehicle sector.
“We are creating ecosystems, building jobs in both countries," she said.
Future collaboration is also on the horizon in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) with Canada showing foresight by investing significantly in deep research into AI and operating hubs of research institutes in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
"Korea has the manufacturing know-how and power. There is a possibility for real synergy there,” she said.
Investment opportunities
The ambassador discussed measures Canada is taking to attract more Korean investments, emphasizing the strategic and comprehensive efforts being made to foster stronger economic ties between the two nations.
The ambassador also pointed to the stability and reliability of Canadian governance as a strong selling point.
"We have a stable democratic system of government, and our federal, provincial and municipal governments are all active in promoting investment," she said.
"About a year ago, we did an investment roadshow. Agencies like Invest in Canada, Invest in Quebec and others are very good at highlighting the advantages of choosing one area over another, such as our natural resources, access to clean energy and robust infrastructure."
The ambassador stressed the importance of the political relationship between Korea and Canada, describing it as a strategic partnership.
"Investing in a country like Canada, which is a comprehensive strategic partner of Korea, comes with political guarantees, support from a diplomatic service and attention from politicians," she said.
The ambassador reported positive developments and ongoing efforts to improve market access for Canadian products with flows overall positive and without significant difficulties.
"Last year, we signed an Organics Equivalency Protocol, allowing organic products to be sold in both markets. We are also working to facilitate access for Canadian beef, which we believe Koreans will appreciate," she said.