Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is in Korea for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje Island in South Gyeongsang Province on Oct. 30.

Carney was accompanied by Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. The two leaders received a briefing from Hanwha Ocean officials, toured the state-of-the-art assembly site and factory facilities, and then boarded the recently launched 3,600-ton submarine Jang Yeong-sil to inspect its interior facilities and equipment.

Large Korean and Canadian flags were seen hanging side by side on another submarine under construction.

Canada, currently preparing to place orders for submarine construction and maintenance projects worth up to 60 trillion won, plans to select a preferred negotiator in the first half of next year. Hanwha Ocean, along with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), is on the shortlist of final candidates.

Prime Minister Carney told Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Ocean, whom he met on site, “While discussions (about the submarine project) are very important, a larger and deeper relationship with Hanwha is far more important,” adding, “Coming by helicopter, I was able to see what I had expected. The scale of the work is enormous.”

Prime Minister Kim emphasized, “It is important to maintain close public-private communication systems and continue cooperation at the government level regarding various defense exports, including the Canadian submarine procurement project,” adding, “I will do my utmost to ensure that government-wide capabilities can be focused on strengthening the defense industry.”

During the subsequent meeting after the inspection, Prime Minister Kim said, “As the leaders of both countries announced a Korea-Canada Security and Defense Joint Statement today and agreed to deepen cooperation in various strategic areas, cooperation between the two countries as reliable partners is important,” adding, “I hope to solidify the foundation for a long-term partnership through comprehensive cooperation, including in the defense industry sector.”

He further emphasized, “As our country possesses excellent shipbuilding technology recognized worldwide, if interoperability between Korea and Canada is enhanced through submarine procurement, I believe we can develop security cooperation more closely.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (second from right), Prime Minister Kim Min-seok (second from left), and Kim Dong-kwan (far right), vice chairman of Hanwha Group, take a commemorative photo after inspecting the Jang Young-sil submarine at Geoje Shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province on Oct. 30. (Captured from SBS)
Prime Minister Carney expressed satisfaction with this visit, saying, “I appreciate that both countries have agreed to strengthen cooperation through the announced security and defense partnership,” and then introduced the relevant domestic procedures, stating, “We will consider the introduction of next-generation submarines from Canada’s security strategic perspective,” according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Earlier, during his meeting with President Lee Jae Myung, Prime Minister Carney expressed anticipation for the shipyard visit, saying, “I look forward to seeing Korea’s world-class shipbuilding capabilities with my own eyes.”

Prime Minister Carney’s visit to the shipyard was reportedly at the request of the Canadian side.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (left) and Hanwha Group Vice Chairman Kim Dong-kwan take a commemorative photo after inspecting the Jang Yeong-sil submarine at Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje Shipyard in South Gyeongsang Province on Oct. 30.  (Captured from SBS)

Source:Business Korea