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Canada-the Republic of Korea relations

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Bilateral relations

Canada and the Republic of Korea (commonly known as South Korea) share a mature and multifaceted relationship built on decades of cooperation, shared democratic values, and growing strategic alignment. From Canada’s involvement in the Korean War to the expansion of trade, innovation, and people-to-people ties, the partnership has evolved into one of Canada’s most dynamic in the Indo-Pacific. South Korea has become an increasingly important strategic and economic partner, with strong collaboration across trade, energy, critical minerals, defence, and technology. The relationship is further reinforced by close cooperation in multilateral forums and a shared commitment to upholding the rules-based international system.

This deepening engagement is underpinned by the Canada–Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, launched in 2022, and its Action Plan introduced in 2024. The framework outlines five priority areas: democratic values and human rights; defence and security; economic prosperity and supply chain resilience; climate and sustainability; and health and cultural exchange. Canada and South Korea continue to build momentum through high-level visits, strategic dialogues, and joint initiatives that reflect the growing importance of this bilateral relationship.

Canada and South Korea formally established diplomatic relations in 1963. Canada is represented in South Korea by its Embassy in Seoul. Meanwhile, in Canada, South Korea is represented by its Embassy in Ottawa and its Consulates General in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.

Trade relations

Canada and South Korea maintain a strong and diversified trade relationship, anchored by the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA), which came into force in 2015. Bilateral merchandise trade reached $25 billion in 2025, making South Korea Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner. Trade has doubled since the CKFTA’s implementation, with 99% of Canadian exports now eligible for duty-free access.

South Korea is one of Asia’s most advanced, innovative, and globally connected economies. It has a GDP of $2.6 trillion, ranking it as the 13th largest economy in the world. The country offers significant opportunities for Canadian businesses seeking to expand their footprint in the Indo-Pacific region. South Korea is also a global leader in science, technology, and innovation, and invests heavily into research and development. The Canada-Korea Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Cooperation Agreement is entering its 10th year, and provides a strong framework for continuing to advance STI collaboration.

The economic partnership continues to deepen. Recent strategic initiatives and engagements include the Team Canada Trade Mission to the Republic of Korea (2026), the Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening Canada–Korea industrial collaboration on future mobility (2026), and the Canada–Republic of Korea audiovisual coproduction treaty (2026).

Energy and critical minerals trade are also expanding. South Korea’s high dependence on energy imports and its transition toward clean energy have created growing demand for Canadian exports, including crude oil, LNG, LPG, and bioenergy. Canada is also a key supplier of mineral ores essential to South Korea’s manufacturing and technology sectors.

Agriculture also features prominently in the bilateral economic relationship. South Korea is Canada’s fifth-largest agri-food export market, representing an important destination for Canadian meat, seafood, grains, and specialty products.

Investment flows are growing steadily, with South Korean foreign direct investment stock reaching $17.6 billion in 2025, making South Korea the 12th largest investor country in Canada, 4th largest from Asia/Oceania. Investments in Canada’s resource and clean energy sectors are helping to build vertically integrated supply chains and support Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy, and are contributing to Canada’s economy and employment. Canadian direct investment stock in South Korea is also accelerating: in 2025, CDIA stock from South Korea stood at $3,8 billion, an increase of 43% from 2024.

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Defence and security cooperation

Canada is committed to enhancing its defence and security partnership with South Korea, with shared goals of maintaining regional peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and upholding the rules-based international system. In October 2025, Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Lee Jae Myung announced the Canada-Republic of Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership, the first of its kind for Canada in the Indo-Pacific. This agreement will reinforce collaboration in defence, military readiness, and industrial collaboration focused on the defence, maritime security, and aerospace sectors.

In addition, under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, both countries cooperate on intelligence sharing, joint exercises, and defence industry collaboration with the Canada–Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign and Defence 2+2 Ministerial Meeting serving as the principal bilateral forum for foreign and defence ministers to coordinate on security, defence cooperation, and broader strategic issues.

Canada supports South Korea’s efforts toward a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and contributes to multilateral initiatives such as the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange and Operation NEON, which monitor North Korea’s sanctions evasion. Canada participates in the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team (MSMT), reinforcing joint efforts to uphold the rules-based international order. Canada also engages with South Korea within the scope of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)’s Indo-Pacific Four (IP4), reflecting shared security priorities in the region.

The Canadian Armed Forces have maintained a continuous presence in the United Nations Command (UNC) since the Korean War. Canada currently holds the Deputy Commander role and contributes personnel through the Canadian Contingent UNC (CCUNC), active in armistice supervision, ceasefire investigations, and ceremonial duties. Military relations are further supported by Defence Attachés in both countries and ongoing collaboration in peacekeeping, maritime security, and multilateral exercises. Canada and South Korea continue to strengthen defence industry partnerships supported by multiple frameworks, including the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Materiel Cooperation, which facilitates exchanges of technical information, personnel, and testing collaboration.

Canada and the Korean War

Canada’s contributions during the Korean War remain a foundational element of bilateral ties. Between 1950 and 1953, over 26,000 Canadians served in Korea, with 516 making the ultimate sacrifice – 381 of whom are interred in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan. The most well-known Canadian operations during the Korean War include the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry’s participation in the Battle of Kapyong, and the Royal Canadian Regiment’s involvement in the Battle of Hill 187. Today, commemorative activities—including annual veteran visits sponsored by the Korean Veterans Association of Korea and South Korea’s Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs—honour this legacy. The Canadian Defence Relations Office, on behalf of Veterans Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence, supports the commemorative activities. These historical ties continue to shape Canada’s enduring commitment to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

Contact information

Defence Relations
Office of the Canadian Defence Attaché

Tel.: 822‑3783‑6251
Fax: 822‑3783‑6139
Email: seoul-dr@international.gc.ca

People-to-people ties

Canada and South Korea share deep people-to-people ties rooted in historical connections and strengthened by growing immigration, tourism, and education exchanges. Over 218,000 Canadians identify as being of Korean origin, and more than 27,000 Canadians currently reside in South Korea. South Korea is a top source of international students in Canada, with over 15,000 South Korean students enrolled in 2025.

Youth mobility is a cornerstone of people-to-people engagement. The renewed Canada–Korea Youth Mobility Arrangement, signed in May 2023, allows citizens aged 18 to 35 to work and travel in each other’s countries. The arrangement is delivered on the Canadian side through International Experience Canada (IEC), which enables South Korean youth to participate in up to three streams, while Canadian youth apply through South Korea’s equivalent program.

Climate and environment cooperation

Canada and South Korea are working closely to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, as well as transition to sustainable energy sources, enhancing low-carbon fuel-supply chains, while simultaneously collaborating to support clean technology commercialisation to achieve our shared goals. Both countries have committed to reducing emissions by 40% by 2030 and achieving net-zero by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement. They are also aligned under the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework to halt biodiversity loss by 2050.

Bilateral cooperation is supported through the Environmental Affairs Council (EAC), established under the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement, which facilitates regular technical and policy exchanges between Environment and Climate Change Canada, Korea’s Ministry of Environment, and other agencies. A Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change Cooperation signed in December 2023, as well as regular Climate Change Dialogues further strengthen collaboration.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and the Republic of Korea work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

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