On the 29th, when Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada visited the Hanwha Ocean Geoje business sites, Vice Chairman Kim Dong-Kwan of Hanwha Group and employees wore red poppy-shaped badges on the left side of their chests. The badges were airlifted from Canada at Kim's direction.
The poppy badge is a symbol of Remembrance Day, which Canada observes on Nov. 11, 1918, to mark the end of World War I. The day is similar to Korea's Memorial Day. Countries that took part in the war at the time, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and Australia, also wear poppy badges.
In Canada, many people wear poppy badges during Veterans' Week, from late October to Nov. 11. Revenue from poppy badge purchases is donated to the Royal Canadian Legion and used for funds for service members.
John McCrae, a Canadian who served as a military doctor in World War I, wrote a memorial poem after seeing poppies blooming in the fields while touring the fierce battlegrounds of Flanders in Belgium, where 87,000 people were killed. Moved by the poem, British poet Moina Belle Michael launched a memorial campaign using the poppy as a symbol, and with veterans' organizations in the participating countries joining in, the poppy became established as a symbol of remembrance from 1922.
Below the badge are the words "Lest we forget." Canada dispatched 26,791 troops during the 6/25 War, and officials from the Canadian government who visited the shipyard at the time are said to have expressed their gratitude upon seeing Hanwha's badges.
Hanwha also specially made hard hats for the Canadian delegation. The hard hats feature the Taegeukgi and the Canadian flag on either side. Kim's attention to detail for the Canadian prime minister and the delegation was because of the submarine project. The Canadian government is pursuing a next-generation submarine procurement program worth up to 60 trillion won.
Hanwha Ocean of Korea and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany have made the final shortlist. After evaluating final delivery schedules, localization, security effects, and other factors, the Canadian government is expected to select a contractor within a year. The event was attended by Prime Minister Carney; David McGuinty, Minister of National Defense of Canada; and Philip Lafortune, ambassador of Canada to Korea, among others. Hanwha Ocean even arranged a helicopter for them.