Mid-June 1888

James Scarth Gale, an Ontario native and recent University of Toronto graduate, reached a pivotal moment shortly after graduation when he made the firm decision and began full-scale preparations for his missionary journey to Joseon (Korea). This period marked the starting point for solidifying his ministry and academic vision for Korea, and it is regarded as the symbolic origin of early intellectual and cultural exchanges between the Korean Peninsula and Canada. Gale went on to become a figure who transcended mere religious proselytization, introducing Korean culture and language to the West and laying an important foundation for the establishment of Korean studies.

June 19, 2012

Exchanges between Korea and Canada reached a new turning point in international trade and diplomacy on this day. Ongoing Korea-Canada import regulations and trade issues under the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework were resolved, most notably bringing the beef dispute to a practical conclusion. This served as a crucial stepping stone for deepening economic cooperation, which eventually led to the signing of the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA). The bilateral relationship, previously centered on private exchanges, expanded into a framework of commercial and institutional cooperation, entering a new phase.

Mid-June 1970

During this period, the number of Korean immigrants in Toronto increased rapidly, and the foundation of an early settlement community began to take shape. Through their interactions with the Ontario provincial government and the local society, these early immigrants recognized the need for spaces and organizations to serve as the focal point for the Korean community, marking an important starting point for the formation of a self-sustaining community. These grassroots efforts later laid the groundwork for the Korean community in Toronto to grow into a prime example of successful settlement within Canadian multiculturalism, opening pathways of exchange to introduce Korean culture and arts to the local society.

June 21, 1905

A young man named Kim Il-hwan boarded the 'Kanagawa Maru' at the Port of Busan and arrived in Victoria, British Columbia, on July 8, via Japan. This event is recorded as the arrival of the first Korean immigrant to Canada, a fact substantiated by Kim Il-hwan's diary and photographs.