President Moon Jae-in and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a summit at 2:30 this afternoon. They had in-depth discussions on the North Korean nuclear issue and matters of mutual interest. Though the meeting was brief, the two leaders were able to build friendship and trust in an amicable atmosphere.

Prime Minister Trudeau began by suggesting that Korea and Canada should discuss common challenges facing both of them. He gave a positive assessment of the Korea-Canada FTA, proposing that Korean and Canadian businesses actively utilize the free trade agreement between the two countries to expand economic relations.

In response, President Moon said that Canadian lobsters were popular in the Korean market and exports of Korean cosmetics to Canada were greatly increasing.

Prime Minister Trudeau said that he was deeply concerned about the North Korean issue, adding that he was ready to provide any assistance if it would be helpful in easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

In response, President Moon said the Korean Peninsula was experiencing the most serious crisis since the 1950-53 Korean War, describing it as a dangerous situation. The President went on to say that if the missile the North recently fired was indeed an intercontinental ballistic missile, not only the United States but Canada could be within its range. Mentioning a saying that crisis could be turned into an opportunity, however, the President said that it was necessary to tighten sanctions and pressure against the North for its complete denuclearization and the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula while still making efforts to address the issue in a peaceful manner.

Prime Minister Trudeau responded by saying that his country would join allied nations in applying various sanctions on the North. Expressing his concern over the worsening health of a Canadian pastor surnamed Lim, who was being held in detention by North Korea, the Prime Minister said that he had become even more worried following the death of American student Otto Warmbier.

President Moon said Korea, the United States and Canada needed to closely communicate and cooperate for the release of people detained in North Korea, adding that he remembered that the Prime Minister’s father had accomplished many things around the world while he was the Prime Minister. 

Prime Minister Trudeau said his father intervened on various international issues and played positive roles. Then, the Prime Minister asked President Moon to support Canada in its bid for a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Mentioning the Prime Minister’s father had visited Korea, President Moon suggested the two leaders should visit each other, have many discussions and closely cooperate.