Prime Minister Stephen Harper is expected to argue against withdrawing massive economic stimulus funding when he meets South Korean President Lee Myung-bak on Monday, as he continues his tour through Asia.

Lee will be Harper's co-chair at the G20 summit next year. A senior aide to the prime minister said Sunday night he is growing concerned that countries may withdraw stimulus funding before the global economy has recovered sufficiently.

Seoul is the final stop on Harper's six-day tour through Asia, which began in Beijing. South Korea was added to the schedule partly because the two countries are hosting next year's G-20 summit.

The aide said Harper will argue that governments shld plan exit strategies from their stimulus spending, but not implement them yet.

Earlier on Sunday Harper paid tribute to the Canadian soldiers who died during the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941 and lay buried in the Sai Wan War Cemetery.

In a moving ceremony that included a choir of elementary school children singing Amazing Grace, Harper commemorated the 283 Canadian soldiers who died during the battle.

The Canadians were part of a multinational group of soldiers charged with repelling the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong during the Second World War, in December 1941.

"Ours is a country that has always stood up when the cause has been just," Harper said.

"A country that has never flinched in a fight no matter how fierce the foe. A country that has never wavered in its defence of freedom, democracy and justice."

Harper also said that the Canadians' bravery during the battle should remind Canadians of the "eternal debt" they owe all those who serve the country.

"We are also reminded of the gratitude we owe to those who continue to defend our values in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world," Harper said.

The battle lasted 17 days before the 2,000 Canadian troops, alongside soldiers from Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and India, surrendered on Christmas Day.

Standing at a lectern, Harper recounted the story of Army Sgt. Maj. John Osborn, who was the first Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Second World War.

Osborn led the retreat as the Japanese overwhelmed the defending forces, saving a number of his comrades by picking up live grenades and throwing them back at the invaders.

Osborn saved the lives of at least seven other soldiers when he fell on another grenade to absorb the blast.

Osborn's granddaughter, Wendy Greth-Sapieha, travelled to Hong Kong to attend the ceremony.

Afterwards, Greth-Sapieha said it's fair to compare what soldiers went through more than 65 years ago to what soldiers are going through today.

"They are once again on foreign soil, they are fighting for the people there ... (for) a better life for the people of Afghanistan," she told reporters. "My grandfather too was fighting for the people of Hong Kong."

Greth-Sapieha had travelled with her mother, Patricia, who is Osborn's daughter, to Hong Kong. However, Patricia was too ill to attend the ceremony.

Harper visits South Korea

After the service, Harper left for Seoul, South Korea, where he will visit the demilitarized zone that separates the south from North Korea.

On Monday, he will visit the Bridge of No Return, which was named for the Korean POWs who volunteered to cross into the north and were not allowed to return.

Harper will also lay a wreath at the Seoul National Cemetery to honour the 516 Canadian soldiers who died during the Korean War.

He will also be the first Canadian prime minister to address South Korea's national assembly.

PM deems China visit a success

The prime minister's travels to Hong Kong and South Korea follow his visit to China, during which he made new trade deals but was also rebuked for taking four years to visit the emerging Asian superpower.

Canada has achieved approved destination status from Beijing, which will allow Chinese travel agents to promote Canada as a tourist destination. The move could mean as much as a $100 million boost to the Canadian tourism industry.

The Chinese also agreed to lift a ban on Canadian pork, open a new consulate in Montreal and to purchase $180 million in Canadian canola next year.

Harper said Saturday the two countries must next secure an agreement on foreign investment protections. Talks are expected to ramp up after the prime minister's visit.

Earlier in the week, Harper was rebuked by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao over the fact it has been five years since a Canadian prime minister visited China.

Harper later pointed out that no Chinese leader has visited Canada in that same span of time.

Prior to his trip, the prime minister had faced criticism from the Liberals over both the delay in embarking on his first venture to China and his government's seeming willingness to tone down its criticism of China's record on human rights.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said Sunday that the prime minister raised the issue of human rights and democratic values with Chinese officials during his visit, but still managed to advance Canada's economic interests.

"Most Canadians believe that our country should be a voice for universal values of human dignity and democracy on the world stage and I don't think Canadians are apologetic about that," Kenney told CTV's Question Period. "I think they're proud to see a prime minister who has stood up consistently for those values and at the same time has been able to advance Canada's own commercial interests."

With files from The Canadian Press