June 10, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
British Columbia Premier David Eby traveled from Malaysia to South Korea over the weekend of the trade mission during which he discussed trade opportunities in various sectors.
Before leaving Malaysia, Eby met with the Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry. During this meeting, discussions were focused on Malaysia’s trade response to 24% US tariffs, B.C. as a trade diversification partner for Malaysia, Malaysia’s developed port network, and promoting B.C.’s ports as important supply chain gateways.
The Premier spent his eighth day in Seoul, South Korea, engaging in several activities.
Eby held a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to South Korea, Tamara Mawhinney and Senior Trade Commissioner John Zimmerman. Discussions covered B.C.’s political and economic priorities, the Embassy’s perspectives on Canada-Korea trade and investment, and opportunities for B.C.
Later Eby held discussions with senior officials from Korea Gas Corporation. As per officials, the talks revolved around their first shipment of LNG from LNG Canada arriving in 2025 and potential future opportunities.
UBC and POSTECH, one of Korea’s top science and technology universities, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote academic and research collaboration, as well as student mobility and exchange. SFU also signed a research partnership MOU with the BK21 Advanced Materials Research Program on collaborative research, and an MOU with Seoul National University on knowledge sharing and research collaboration to help B.C. farmers grow and export new crops.
Meetings with Major Korean Corporations: Meetings were held with senior executives from Korea’s top corporations including Samsung, SK, Hyundai, LG, POSCO, Lotte, Hanwha, HD Hyundai, GS, and Doosan. Government banks (KDB, KEXIM, IBK), venture capital firms, and research institutions like POSTECH and KAIA also participated, with the aim of highlighting B.C. trade and investment opportunities.
Eby also held a meeting with representatives from Gyeonggi Province, including Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon. “Progress on their joint action plan, which commits to working together on shared priorities as sister provinces, was discussed, and they were thanked for their support in organizing a mission to Web Summit Vancouver.”
Speaking at a news conference on Monday from South Korea, Eby said it’s not him standing in the way of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s longed-for oil pipeline from Alberta to B-C’s north coast.
He said there’s no proponent for a pipeline, no money and no project right now.” It’s Eby’s latest rebuff to the idea, coming after Smith said she could convince him to allow such a pipeline.
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