Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff to President Lee Jae-myung, said Sunday that "choosing Korea — the only partner with procurement speed, quality, and delivery reliability — could become a success case of Canada's defense procurement reform and a new engine of economic growth," as he visits Canada as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation.
Kang made the remarks in a Facebook post, recounting his meetings Saturday (local time) in Ottawa with Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, and David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence.
"My flight was delayed and I rushed in just before the meeting. The two ministers, whom I was meeting for the third time, told me not to worry, saying 'delays are routine in Canada,'" Kang wrote. "But I joked back: 'Our submarine moored on Canada's west coast traveled 14,000 kilometers underwater across the Pacific and arrived on time without a single delay, so next time I should come by submarine.'"
He added that during the meeting, he "emphasized that Korea, as a leading defense industry nation, has both the will and the capability to actively contribute to Canada's security at a time of growing international uncertainty, including the prolonged Middle East war."
Kang also noted that he pointed out that "for the 'middle power coalition' that Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasizes to have true meaning, it is important that Canada engage in the Indo-Pacific region, the 'ocean of the future.'" According to Kang, Minister McGuinty agreed and responded that they should accelerate strategic deliberations on realizing the middle power coalition.
Earlier, Kang attended the "Korea-Canada Advanced Industry Cooperation Business Roundtable" held in Toronto, where cooperation in defense, space, and hydrogen sectors was discussed. According to Kang, Stephen Lecce, Ontario's Minister of Energy and Mines, emphasized cooperation in minerals, small modular reactors (SMRs), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and crude oil, saying, "As blood allies who shed blood together, let us fight together for the next generation as well."
In response, Kang reportedly said, "Combining Canada's abundant resources and technology with Korea's advanced manufacturing capabilities can become a true model of the 'middle power coalition' that Prime Minister Carney emphasizes." He continued, "I also announced plans to continue expanding purchases and investments in Canadian crude oil, LNG, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and critical minerals sectors, and stressed under the slogan 'Build Canada Strong with Korea' that Korea and Canada can be partners in opening the future together."
Canada is pursuing a next-generation submarine project worth up to 60 trillion won. From Korea, Hanwha Ocean (042660.KS), together with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, has proposed the 3,600-ton "Jangbogo-III Batch-II" to Canada and is in final competition with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the contract. The final contractor announcement is expected around the end of June.
