Trudeau and President Yoon Condemn North Korea’s Support for Russia, Highlighting New Defense Dialogue Between Canada and South Korea

Ottawa, Ontario – In a joint show of solidarity, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned North Korea’s recent decision to deploy troops in support of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. The two leaders, who spoke yesterday, voiced deep concern over the escalating military support from Pyongyang and reaffirmed their countries’ stance against North Korea’s alignment with Russian aggression.

This latest interaction between Trudeau and Yoon comes just ahead of the first High-Level Foreign and Defence Policy Dialogue between Canada and Korea, set to take place later this week. Known as the “2+2” dialogue, this historic meeting will bring together ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence from both nations, underscoring their commitment to coordinated defense and foreign policies.

Prime Minister Trudeau spoke with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. They discussed recent developments and expressed condemnation over North Korea’s troop deployment to support Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. More: https://t.co/31VGzdOp8l

— CanadianPM (@CanadianPM) October 30, 2024

The upcoming talks, which mark a significant advancement in the two nations’ relationship, are expected to cover critical issues, particularly regional security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region, where both Canada and South Korea seek to counterbalance growing tensions. The dialogue builds upon an established framework of cooperation that the two leaders see as essential to countering threats to global stability and regional security.

Trudeau and Yoon also highlighted the benefits of Canada and South Korea’s expanding defense partnership, a relationship increasingly viewed as pivotal for broader Indo-Pacific strategies. Both nations have placed particular emphasis on joint naval operations, cybersecurity initiatives, and intelligence-sharing protocols aimed at responding swiftly to regional threats.

Looking forward, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Yoon are expected to deepen bilateral cooperation on critical global issues, with both leaders pledging to remain in close communication. Trudeau has extended an invitation for a future visit, emphasizing the value of maintaining a strong alliance amid rising global tensions.

As Canada and South Korea prepare for their high-level dialogue, the stakes remain high, and both governments are signaling a unified response to the challenges posed by North Korea’s involvement in Ukraine. This 2+2 initiative is anticipated to set the tone for a stronger, more collaborative future between Canada and Korea, particularly in bolstering security and stability across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.