A joint declaration from the Canadian and South Korean governments said the depth of their bilateral relationship extends well into the energy sector.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper met in Ottawa with South Korean President Park Geun-hye to sign documents establishing a strategic partnership and celebrating the March signing of a free-trade agreement.

"This partnership will lay out a strategic direction for stronger relations in key areas of common interest including energy and natural resources, science, technology and innovation, and Arctic research and development," their Monday declaration read.

Harper has tried to diversify an export economy that relies almost exclusively on the United States as its destination for oil and natural gas. The March free-trade deal with South Korea was Canada's first with an Asian power.

Both leaders during their Monday visit in Ottawa signed an agreement to develop deeper relations in energy technology and industry collaboration "in strategic areas of mutual interest."

South Korea is the second-largest importer of liquefied natural gas in the world. For Harper, LNG shipments from the western Canadian coast are an opportunity for diversification.