Hon. Yonah Martin (Deputy Leader of the Opposition): Honourable senators, I rise today to highlight two important milestone anniversaries in this banner year for Canada and Korea. This year, 2023, is the sixtieth anniversary of Canada‑Korea diplomatic relations, which was celebrated in January at a special event hosted by His Excellency Woongsoon Lim at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. It was the first of many special events that the embassy will organize over the course of this year.

Canada’s relationship with the people of the “Land of Morning Calm” is over a century in the making, beginning with missionaries like Frank Schofield, a Canadian veterinarian and Protestant missionary. His support of the Korean people during the March First Movement for Korean independence from the Japanese empire sowed the seeds of a friendship that would grow and blossom between our two peoples. Canada would once again stand with Korea when Communist forces declared war against the South Korean people in 1950. Over 26,000 Canadians would serve in South Korea, sacrificing their youth and lives.

As a result of the war, 516 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice, and nearly 400 Canadians are buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan, South Korea.

On July 27, we will commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the signing of the armistice. Korea would not be the country it is today, and we would not be celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries if it were not for our brave men and women who served and sacrificed during the Korean War.

Not surprisingly, our bilateral relationship has grown from a shared concern over defence to incorporate trade and people-to-people linkages as well. On March 11, 2014, in Seoul, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Park Geun-hye of South Korea announced Canada’s first and only free trade agreement in the Asia-Pacific region — the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Canada and Korea’s people-to-people ties have grown exponentially in recent years, enhanced by increasing immigration and tourism flows, as well as business investments and joint ventures. South Korea has also long been and continues to be one of Canada’s top source countries of international students. Nearly a quarter million Canadians identify themselves as being of Korean origin. And over 27,000 Canadians currently reside in South Korea, including about 3,200 English language teachers.

Canada and the Republic of Korea are more than just two aligned international actors. Through sacrifice, understanding and mutual respect, our two nations have become more than friends; we are partners and allies. Please join me, honourable senators, in recognizing this banner year of Canada-Korea relations.