South Korean Navy Chief to Visit Canada to Boost Arms Cooperation
Quick Look
- South Korean Navy Chief Adm.
- Kim Kyung-ryul will visit Canada from May 21-29 to strengthen arms cooperation and promote Korean defense products, amid Seoul's bid for a major Canadian submarine project.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
South Korea is actively seeking to secure a significant submarine procurement contract with Canada, a deal valued at approximately $41 billion. This effort involves a last-minute push by South Korean officials and naval leadership.
SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul is set to leave for Canada this week to strengthen arms cooperation between the navies of the two nations, the Navy said Wednesday, as South Korea ramps up its last-minute push to win a major Canadian submarine bid.
During his trip scheduled from Thursday to May 29, Kim plans to meet with Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, the nominee for China's vice chief of defense staff, to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the military and arms sector.
Kim's visit comes as Seoul has been vying with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to clinch a major Canadian submarine procurement project, valued at around 60 trillion won (US$41 billion), to supply up to 12 submarines to Ottawa. The final contractor is expected to be chosen in June.
During his visit, the Navy chief will also hold talks with Rear Adm. Dan Charlebois, the nominee for the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as Rear Adm. David Patchell, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific.
Kim plans to attend a ceremony marking the arrival of the ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho naval submarine in Victoria, western Canada. The submarine departed from a naval base in Jinhae, some 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on March 25.
The voyage marked the first trans-Pacific deployment and the longest distance ever traveled for a South Korean submarine.
The 3,000-ton submarine is scheduled to participate in joint drills with the Canadian Navy, as well as take part in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in June before returning home.
Meanwhile, the Navy chief is also set to attend Canada's leading defense and security exhibition in Ottawa on May 27-28, where he is expected to meet key Canadian officials and promote South Korean defense products.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
A decision on the Canadian submarine procurement project will be made in June.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific defense products will be promoted by South Korea?
- What are the key discussion points regarding military and arms sector cooperation?
- What is the specific role of the ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho in the upcoming exercises?
- What is the expected outcome of the defense and security exhibition for South Korean companies?
