Deputy Minister Kang Hoon-sik, who visited Canada as President Lee Jae-myung's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation, returned on the 31st after completing his schedule and expressed confidence about the ongoing "submarine procurement bid" there.
Meeting reporters at Incheon International Airport that afternoon, Deputy Minister Kang said, "Our submarine technology is being assessed as far better than Germany's, which is cited as a competitor," and "I am confident we can fully overcome the remaining issues through future industrial cooperation."
The core of this trip emphasized "public-private accompaniment." Deputy Minister Kang said, "It is significant that not only the government moved, but corporations also stepped up to show the will to achieve practical economic cooperation and outcomes," and explained, "At the meeting where Prime Minister Mark Carney and corporations gathered together, there were strong signals of cooperation toward Korea."
He also noted hurdles to overcome in the competitive landscape. "A considerable part of our technology was transferred from Germany, and with the perception that Canada is within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security cooperation framework, it is not easy to find openings," he added.
On the timing of the final result, he said, "In the best case, it could be six months; at the longest, it could take up to a year," and predicted, "There will also be a step for the other side to come to Korea and confirm actual intent." The Canada Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), including maintenance, is discussed as being worth up to 60 trillion won, with Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries reportedly in the final stage of competition.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Kang signed a 1.3 trillion won export contract for the Korean multiple launch rocket "Cheonmu" in Norway, which he visited after Canada. He said, "The local choice is meaningful in creating a trend of 'let's consider Korea' in neighboring Sweden and Denmark," adding, "It will help expand to other countries going forward."
Regarding current issues such as tariff negotiations with the United States and the domestic real estate market, Deputy Minister Kang said, "Even while abroad, we continued real-time discussions via video," and stated, "We will actively stay on top of every matter without neglect."