President Lee Jae Myung on July 22 will send special envoys to Canada and Malaysia. He is shown speaking on July 17 at the fourth meeting of his senior secretaries and aides at the Office of the President in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Office of the President)

By Park Hye Ri

President Lee Jae Myung has finalized his special envoy lineups to Canada and Malaysia, presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing on July 20.

Rep. Kim Byung-joo of the Democratic Party of Korea will head the delegation to Canada and former Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Kim Young-Choon the group to Malaysia.

Rep. Kim and his entourage will depart for Canada on July 22 for talks with key officials there on advancement of bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership and cooperation in national security, defense and energy.

The delegation to Malaysia the same day will hold dialogue with key figures from that country's government and legislature on Seoul's intent to boost its strategic partnership formed with Kuala Lumpur last year.

Both sides will discuss raising practical cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, green transition, digital and defense, as well as collaboration between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations given Malaysia's status as the association's chair country this year.

President Lee is sending such envoys to major countries to publicize Korea's return to democracy and explain his administration's governance philosophy and foreign policies. Each delegation will deliver his message for expanding friendly and cooperative ties with partner countries along a handwritten letter.

hrhr@korea.kr