Gyeongju: President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney convened for summit talks to deepen their strategic partnership in defense, security, and military intelligence sharing between South Korea and Canada.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the two leaders celebrated the adoption of a joint statement outlining a strategic partnership in security and defense aimed at expanding arms and defense cooperation. This agreement is designed to accelerate defense cooperation, enhance interoperability and readiness, and joint contributions to regional and global stability.
The joint statement emphasized support for a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region while fostering innovation and resilience in defense industries, creating opportunities for Korean and Canadian workers and businesses. The summit occurred during Prime Minister Carney's official visit to South Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit held in Gyeongju.
Furthermore, the leaders announced the conclusion of negotiations regarding an agreement on the protection of military and defense classified information. This agreement will establish a secure framework for exchanging and protecting classified information, supporting deeper defense, security, and industrial cooperation.
The agreement, once in force, will lay the legal groundwork for enhanced collaboration in defense procurement, industrial security, research, and operational coordination. This summit follows their previous meeting in Canada during the Group of Seven summit in June, shortly after President Lee assumed office.
After the summit, Prime Minister Carney traveled to Geoje to visit Hanwha Ocean's shipyard, accompanied by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. Hanwha Ocean is competing with Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for Canada's submarine acquisition program, valued up to 60 trillion won (US$43.7 billion).