On Wednesday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with a delegation of Canadian Senators to emphasize the importance of strategic cooperation.
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Minister Cho, currently in Ottawa for the Korea-Canada 2+2 Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting, hosted a roundtable discussion with Canadian Senators. Key attendees included Yonah Martin, co-chair of the Canada-Korea Friendship Group, Hassan Yussuff, Chair of the National Security and Defence Committee, and Peter Harder, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee.
Minister Cho noted that the Foreign and Defense 2+2 Ministerial Meeting and Foreign Ministers’ talks have significantly elevated the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations. He highlighted that the signing of the “Korea-Canada Military/Defense Confidentiality Agreement” and the implementation agreement for the “Korea-Canada Security and Defense Cooperation Partnership” have strengthened the institutional framework for defense and military industry cooperation.
Minister Cho also organized a dinner with experts on Korea-Canada relations. Attendees included Ben Chin, former senior advisor to the Prime Minister, Jeff Nankivell, President of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, and David Perry, President of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.
During the discussions, Minister Cho emphasized the superior performance and delivery capabilities of South Korean submarines. He detailed how investments in related projects, including hydrogen mobility, could generate jobs and bolster advanced industries in Canada, urging strong support for these initiatives.
In response, academic participants underscored the importance of strategic cooperation between Korea and Canada amid growing geopolitical uncertainties. They also commended the South Korean government’s recent revival of pragmatic diplomacy, including the resumption of shuttle diplomacy with Japan.
Both parties agreed to enhance their strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), cutting-edge technologies, supply chain diversification, and academic and civilian exchanges, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.