Mr. Garneau is expected to be named Canada co-chair next month of the Canada-Korea Forum, a group dedicated to promoting trade and scientific exchange between the two countries.
In an interview, the former Liberal minister said Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy was helping it make progress in its partnerships with other countries in the region, but recent tensions with India highlighted the need to forge other connections.
Canada and South Korea have strengthened their trade ties since signing a trade deal nearly a decade ago.
South Korea is investing in electric vehicle battery production in Canada and hopes to import more raw materials and liquefied natural gas.
Mr. Garneau said the two countries could develop much more trade and Ottawa should benefit from South Korea, Japan and the United States forging closer ties in the face of an increasingly destructive government in China.
He added that Ottawa needs to catch up with its allies and be more present in the region, arguing that Global Affairs Canada has less expertise in Asia than Canada’s peer countries.
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