Former foreign minister Marc Garneau says Canada, South Korea should form closer ties

OTTAWA — Former foreign affairs minister Marc Garneau says Canada should seek closer ties with South Korea, arguing the two countries could help each other gain influence in the strategically important Indo-Pacific.

Garneau is to be appointed next month as the Canadian co-chair of the Canada-Korea Forum, a group dedicated to boosting trade and scientific exchanges between the two countries.

In an interview, the former Liberal minister said Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy is helping it make strides in partnering with other countries in the region, but recent tensions with India show the need to have a range of connections.

South Korea is investing in electric-vehicle battery production in Canada while hoping to import more commodities and liquefied natural gas, and the two have increased commercial ties since they signed a trade deal nearly a decade ago.