2/20/2013 6:17:14 PM

February 14, 2013
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, will travel to the Republic of Korea to attend the Presidential inauguration of Park Geun-hye on February 25, 2013.

President-elect Park won the presidential election on December 19, 2012. She will be the 11th president of South Korea and the first woman to hold that office.

While in Seoul, the Governor General will promote Canada’s close and active engagement with Korea on a wide range of issues.

Canada and Korea share a vibrant relationship based upon many shared values and objectives and close cooperation in international fora on democratic and human rights issues. With strong people-to-people ties stemming from a thriving Canadian-Korean community, tourism flows and historical connections, Canada and Korea also benefit from a successful trade and investment partnership to be further enhanced through ongoing free trade agreement negotiations.

This is a particularly important year for the bilateral relationship given that it marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice as well as 50 years of diplomatic engagement and cooperation in international organizations such as the G-20. To mark these milestones, 2013 had been declared the Year of Korea in Canada, which will showcase Korea’s remarkable culture and traditions and highlight the friendly relationship our two countries enjoy. It is also the Year of Canada in Korea, whereby events will be held throughout the year to build Canada’s profile in the country and to help strengthen our bilateral relationship.