President Lee Jae-myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held a summit in Gyeongju on the 30th and declared a strategic partnership in the defense and security fields. They also adopted a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.
In a joint statement, President Lee and Prime Minister Carney said, "In a rapidly changing global environment, we once again confirmed that the 'Korea-Canada comprehensive strategic partnership' remains solid and vibrant," adding, "In an increasingly turbulent world, Korea and Canada are jointly contributing to strengthening and diversifying the two countries' trade and defense ties to respond to shared challenges."
At the summit, the two leaders also announced a substantive conclusion of negotiations on a "military and defense classified information protection agreement." In a joint statement, the leaders said, "This will provide a secure and reliable framework for the exchange and protection of classified information to support the deepening of defense, security, and defense industry cooperation," adding, "Upon the agreement's entry into force, a legal foundation will be established to further strengthen cooperation in defense procurement, defense industry security, research, and operational coordination, making it a key milestone in advancing the strategic partnership between Korea and Canada."
In the joint statement, the two leaders said, "In an increasingly turbulent world, Korea and Canada are jointly contributing to strengthening and diversifying the two countries' trade and defense ties to respond to shared challenges," and added, "As strategic partners in defense and security, we reaffirm our resolve to deepen cooperation."
Kim Nam-joon, Spokesperson for the Presidential Office, explained that in a closed-door discussion that day, the two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation not only in the defense industry but also in energy and culture. Kim said, "President Lee noted that in Canada's next submarine procurement project, Korean corporations were selected as preliminary bidders and emphasized that Korea hopes to actively contribute to enhancing Canada's defense industry capabilities," adding, "Prime Minister Carney also said he looks forward to seeing firsthand, through a visit to the Geoje shipyard, Korea's world-class shipbuilding capabilities."
Kim added, "(Prime Minister Carney) noted that this year Canada exported LNG to Korea for the first time and said he hopes to expand energy-related cooperation on critical minerals and SMRs," adding, "President Lee said the director of K-pop Demon Hunters, Maggie Kang, is a Korean Canadian and expressed hope that the synergy of cultural exchanges between the two countries will expand going forward." Korea and Canada plan to soon conclude an audiovisual co-production agreement.
President Lee presented Prime Minister Carney with a white porcelain double openwork seven-treasure pattern ceramic piece that well showcases Korea's traditional beauty. Kim said, "During the closed-door discussion, news of a win by the Toronto Blue Jays of Canada came in, making the atmosphere even more convivial."