Kang Hoon-sik Supports Submarine Bid: "Will Convey Our Sincerity at Tomorrow's Top-Level Meeting in Canada"

Kang Hoon-sik Shares Message on Social Media
"If Korea and Canada Join Forces, the Synergy Will Be Explosive"

Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Secretary of the Presidential Office, is departing for Canada through Incheon International Airport on the 26th. Yonhap News Agency

On January 27, Kang Hoon-sik, Chief Secretary to the President, stated, "I will convey our sincere intention that our submarines are committed to safeguarding the long and complex security environment that connects Canada's three oceans-the Atlantic, Arctic, and Indo-Pacific."

Kang, who is currently visiting Canada to support the bid for a submarine project, made these remarks through his social media account on the same day. He said, "The global trade environment is, quite literally, unpredictable," adding, "Economic security concerns are intensifying in areas such as critical minerals, semiconductors, and energy. At this moment, there is an urgent need for a strategic realignment that boldly pursues cooperation and investment with new partners."

He also shared that, while attending the '3rd Korea-Canada CEO Dialogue,' he emphasized, "If Korea's manufacturing capabilities in advanced industries are combined with Canada's innovative technologies, it can generate explosive synergy that goes far beyond a mere survival strategy."

In particular, Kang mentioned that strategic cooperation in the automotive industry could "create a mutually beneficial (win-win) cooperation model." He explained, "The Republic of Korea can secure a new foothold in the core hub of the North American automotive industry, while Canada can find new growth engines in its automotive sector, which is a pillar of its regional economy."

Kang departed for Canada on January 26 as a special envoy for strategic economic cooperation to support the bid for a 60 trillion won submarine project.