South Korean President Park Geun-hye to make state visit to Canada Sept 20-22

OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper says South Korean President Park Geun-hye will make a state visit to Canada Sept. 20-22.

It’s the first such visit by a Korean president since 1999.

Harper says he and Park will discuss the opportunities created by the Canada-Korea free trade agreement, which was tabled in the Commons in June.

The leaders will also cover other global and regional issues, including developments in the Asia-Pacific region.

Korea is a major Asia trading partner for Canada, with total merchandise trade between the two countries estimated at $10.8 billion in 2013.

The Prime Minister’s Office says the free trade agreement is expected to increase Canadian exports to Korea by almost a third.

“Canada and the Republic of Korea enjoy an extraordinary friendship, founded on strong people-to-people ties,” Harper said in a statement.

“I look forward to once again meeting with President Park Geun-hye and exploring how to deepen those ties.”