(The source of this writing is Korea Archives, available at: http://theme.archives.go.kr/next/unKorea/diplomaticTalent.do) From 1991, when Korea joined UN, Korea has outgrown (economically) most of the world and its own expectations as well. That said, with growth comes more responsibilities and higher standard of expectations. This was the same for […]
In case you have noticed, I am generally a slow writer with no exception in this blog. However, in the past couple days, there have been many new commentaries by Korea Trade Minister Taeho Bark, who is running in this year’s election for WTO Director General. I feel obliged […]
For those who follow this year’s election in Geneva for the new WTO Director-General, a Korean nominee, Trade Minsiter Bark Tae-Ho, made a speech that stresses his (and Korea’s by extension) role as a reconciliator. See the repot at: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/business/2013/02/02/12/0502000000AEN20130202002400320F.HTML Notably, Mr. Bark emphasized the need of “trust” […]
Economic strength of Korea (Republic of Korea, or commonly known as South Korea) is a reality, a matter of fact that cannot be ignored as a practical concern. Korean economy posted one of the most remarkable and consistent growths during the post World War II (“WWII”) era, evidenced […]
Simplification is dangerous, because this world is in fact very complicated (note that this is in itself a simplification). People simplify, not for the truth of the simpleness, but because it is a tool, which allows more efficient thought processes. For this reason, the labels such as “developed” […]
Korea and Canada are familiar friends, especially when it comes to trade. The friendship, as we all know from our life experiences, is not born out of vacuum, but built through repeated interactions, common interests and mutual efforts. Look around you and into your friends list on the […]
When I first came to Canada in 1997, seeing a Korean-made product on the street was a rarity. When we did see one, it became the topic of the moment amongst fellow Korean witnesses. I remember once seeing a Pony – a Hyundai-made car that was exported to Canada during the 1980s to early […]
(All the graphs and statistical/empirical studies presented below are taken from Alexandre Gauthier & Katie Meredith, “Canadian Trade and Investment Activity: Canada-South Korea”, (Ottawa: Library of Parliament Research Publication, August 15, 2011), online: <http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/2011-14-e.htm>). As a reminder, I ended my last blog with discussion of Korea-Canada trade in goods. We […]
Thanks to the Korean embassy, I had the honour of participating in the Conference centre where the Korean and Canadian Prime Ministers gave speeches in celebration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the two countries. It was a high profile event, attended by the Prime Ministers of each coutry, Chief Justice of […]
As I hold my baby for 13 hours on a flight, I think to myself: it’s a long, long way to Korea. It is hard to dispute that – the total distance from Vancouver (Canada’s Pacific-most major city) to Seoul amounts to over 8,000 kms (just about 5,000 […]
When the plane got above Young-jong Island – a small island outside Seoul, where the Incheon international airport sits – ready to touch down in Korea, I opened the window and looked outside, not only with joys of childhood memories and familiar sceneries, but also with pride and […]
