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<title>MR. GRAHAM - ADDRESS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CANADA-SOUTH KOREA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS - OTTAWA, CANADA</title>
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<p><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"><u>CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY</u></font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">THE HONOURABLE BILL GRAHAM,</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS,</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">ON THE</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">40TH ANNIVERSARY OF </font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">CANADA-SOUTH KOREA DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">OTTAWA, Ontario</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial" size="+1">January 14, 2003</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">We are here tonight to celebrate the warm relationship between two good friends and allies, and to
commemorate some of the major events that have forged this relationship. Fifty years ago, in 1953, the
armistice that ended the active hostilities of the Korean war was signed. Forty years ago, in 1963, Canada and
South Korea established diplomatic relations. And 10 years after that, in 1973, Canada opened its first
embassy in Seoul.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Permit me to begin by remarking on a geopolitical feature our countries have in common. Canadians often say
that we are a mouse living beside an elephant, describing Canada and its relationship with the United States.
Koreans have a similar proverb, that Korea is a "shrimp between two whales," referring to China and Japan. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Well, perhaps mice and shrimp have some suprising qualities in common. But animal references aside, while it
is true that Korea and Canada have powerful neighbours, both our countries look far beyond our immediate
neighbourhood for friends, allies and trading partners. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Across the vast distance that separates our countries, Korea and Canada have now become close allies in
many ways. Our people-to-people contacts date back to the late 19th century, with Canadian missionaries and
doctors among the first Westerners to settle in Korea and dedicate their lives to that country. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada's participation in the Korean War (from 1950 to 1953) is another important element in our shared
experience. Over 27,000 Canadians participated in the defence of Korea, and more than 500 gave their lives.
We do not forget the shared sacrifices.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">More recently, the dynamic and growing Korean community in Canada has expanded the links between our
countries into a bridge that is crossed in both directions by tourists, students and business people. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Our bilateral commercial ties are substantial, with two-way trade of more than $6.5 billion, the result of our
surging economies, both performing well on the world stage. However, even in economic matters, Canada and
South Korea have a relationship that is more than dollars and won. We are members of many of the same
economic organizations. And, as we share a similar approach to international trade, we often find ourselves on
the same side of negotiations on key issues. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">We are both committed to the multilateral system, and have each in turn been elected to serve on the United
Nations Security Council. As well, we have similar concerns and parallel approaches to the international
political issues of the day. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">In the war on terror, we continue to work together in a significant manner. But we also share views on the
importance of the United Nations and the other multilateral organizations of which we are committed members. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Unfortunately, today there are other, equally important developments on the Korean Peninsula, where the
actions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [DPRK] are introducing uncertainty with regard to
regional stability. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 2001, Canada has encouraged the DPRK to engage
in and expand its dialogue with its neighbours, a policy directly supportive of that followed by the Republic of
Korea. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Accordingly, we are gravely concerned by the revelations regarding the DPRK's nuclear program, which
contravenes that country's international obligations, and we have deplored the DPRK's recently announced
intention to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">On a happier note, we watched with delight Korean success in hosting the World Cup; and I should add that the
post-World Cup celebrations in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and other Canadian cities showed that the
Korean-Canadian community is a large and extremely dynamic one. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canadians have also watched the vigorous exercise of democracy encompassed in Korea's recent elections,
where after a hard-fought campaign, the Korean electorate chose Roh Moo-hyun of the new Millennium
Democratic Party as their 16th president. He is the youngest person to become president of the Republic of
Korea, and represents the coming of age of a new generation of Korean leaders. This election shows the
vibrant nature of democracy in the southern half of the Korean peninsula, and Canada looks forward to working
with his administration. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">But I wish to return to the primary purpose of our dinner tonight: to celebrate the ties between our countries.
The relationship is strong and growing, but it can be better, as we explore further areas of cooperation to enrich
and expand it, for our mutual benefit. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Many Koreans know Canada as a source of raw materials, natural beauty, open spaces and uncrowded
landscapes. All this is true, but it is not enough. Canada also hopes to make itself known in Korea as one of the
world's most technologically talented and sophisticated countries, with rapidly expanding sectors in the "new
economy" and an advanced education system. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">We need to keep in touch with each other's developments and share experiences. I am pleased to say that the
recent signing of a science and technology agreement between our two countries is a constructive step in that
direction.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I should also draw your attention to Canada's arts and cultural spheres, which are so enriched by our
multicultural population. Writers Michael Ondaatje and Rohinton Mistry are as authentically Canadian as Yann
Martel and Margaret Atwood. This diversity has made its mark in all aspects of our arts and culture, and I think
you will be particularly pleased later tonight to have the treat of hearing music played by Judy Kang and Lucille
Chung, two young Canadians of Korean origin. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">I will conclude by saying that I am in awe of what the Korean people have accomplished. A population of 46
million, one and a half times that of Canada, in a land the size of the island of Newfoundland, and they have
built the 13th-largest economy in the world, a democracy and a good friend to Canada. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">There is a Korean saying, I am told, that ''a monk cannot shave his head alone"; and this means something
akin to ''no man is an island." I am most pleased that our two countries have developed such a strong and
growing relationship, and that we will continue to shave our heads together. </font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Thank you. </font></p>
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