Top presidential aide meets Canadian leadership as Seoul highlights defense and industrial cooperation
A senior aide to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as part of Seoul’s effort to secure a major submarine procurement contract from Canada. Kang Hoon-sik, visiting Canada as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, said he delivered a personal letter from Lee to Carney and discussed South Korea’s bid for Canada’s next-generation submarine program, valued at about $41.4 billion.
According to Yonhap News, Kang also held talks with other senior Canadian officials on expanding cooperation in security and the defense industry. The meetings reflect a broader push by both governments to link defense procurement with industrial and economic partnerships.
Kang’s trip coincided with the shortlisting of a South Korean team, led by Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, as one of the final candidates for Canada’s submarine procurement program, valued at about 60 trillion won ($41.4 billion). The Korean consortium is now vying against Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems as Canada prepares to choose a long-term partner for its future submarine fleet.
Canada is seeking up to 12 new submarines to replace its aging Victoria-class vessels, which face increasing maintenance challenges and limited operational availability.
Emphasis on security and technology
During meetings in Ottawa, Kang briefed Canadian officials on South Korea’s submarine technology and operational experience. He emphasized Seoul’s willingness to support broader cooperation in defense production, technology sharing, and long-term maintenance, framing the submarine project as part of a wider security partnership rather than a standalone purchase.
Kang said Canadian officials see the submarine acquisition as an opportunity to reshape both industrial capacity and national security policy, particularly at a time when Ottawa is reassessing supply chains and strategic autonomy.
The visit also coincided with reports that Seoul and Ottawa signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at encouraging South Korean automotive manufacturing and investment in Canada. Canadian media described the agreement as part of wider economic discussions running parallel to the defense talks, suggesting that industrial cooperation could influence procurement decisions.
Officials on both sides have indicated that defense contracts are increasingly being evaluated alongside their potential impact on domestic investment and job creation.
Canadian evaluation visit to Korea
As part of the assessment process, Canada’s Minister of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr is scheduled to visit South Korea next week. Kang said Fuhr plans to tour Korean defense facilities and personally board a submarine currently operated by the South Korean Navy to assess operational performance.
Fuhr’s itinerary is expected to include meetings with senior South Korean defense officials and site visits to Hanwha’s shipyard in Geoje, where the company builds the KSS-III submarine model being offered to Canada.
Industry factors are expected to weigh heavily in Canada’s final decision. Beyond military capability and delivery timelines, Ottawa is closely examining the scale of industrial benefits each bidder can offer, including local production, technology transfer, and supply-chain development.
Hanwha and its partners have highlighted potential economic gains for Canada through local manufacturing and long-term industrial cooperation. Analysts say securing the Canadian contract would represent South Korea’s largest defense export to a Western country and could strengthen its position in future bids across NATO markets, as Seoul seeks to expand its role in the global defense industry.
