Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Korea, Canada form landmark security and defense cooperation partnership
President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands at a hotel in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday, ahead of their summit meeting. Joint Press Corps
By Anna J. Park
Korea, New Zealand elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership
GYEONGJU, North Gyeongsang Province — President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a landmark road map to deepen bilateral cooperation across security, defense and emerging strategic domains during a summit held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Gyeongju Thursday.
Dubbed the "ROK (Republic of Korea)-Canada Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership," which is the first of its kind for Canada in the Indo-Pacific, the new framework aims to accelerate the two countries' joint defense initiatives and strengthen industrial collaboration.
The agreement further deepens the already-existing ROK-Canada Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a pivotal milestone in the evolution of the two nations’ strategic partnership.
The agreement comes as the two leaders met for a two-hour summit and luncheon, where they discussed expanding bilateral cooperation across defense and economic sectors. During the meeting, Lee described Canada as “a key ally and a friend comparable to an alliance partner.”
“During the Korean War, Canada dispatched 27,000 troops and sacrificed nearly 400 lives to defend the freedom of the Republic of Korea,” Lee said during the summit talks, expressing deep gratitude for the historic bond between the two nations.
President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands at a hotel in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday, ahead of their summit meeting. Joint Press Corps
Lee underscored that the two countries have long collaborated in both the defense and economic fields and emphasized the potential for further cooperation. He also praised Canada’s leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) research. “Canada’s pioneering work in foundational AI research is benefiting the entire world," Lee said.
On cultural exchange, Lee highlighted Maggie Kang, the Korean Canadian producer of “KPop Demon Hunters,” as a symbol of Canada’s creative strength. “Many people think the film was made in Korea. But in fact, it was directed by a Canadian,” he said.
Carney echoed the sentiments, calling Korea an indispensable partner for Canada across defense, industry and culture. He added that trade relations are growing stronger, defense cooperation is deepening and cultural exchanges are expanding at an important moment for both countries.
Canada is currently pursuing the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, a 60 trillion won submarine procurement program. Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, along with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, have been shortlisted as final contenders.
Later in the day, Carney and Defense Minister David McGuinty visited Hanwha Ocean’s Geoje shipyard to inspect the construction of a 3,600-ton submarine, accompanied by Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. The visit was aimed at assessing the company’s production capabilities.
President Lee Jae Myung and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shake hands during their bilateral meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit venue in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Thursday. Yonhap
Meanwhile, Korea and New Zealand agreed to elevate their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as Lee and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met for a summit Thursday afternoon on the sidelines of the APEC meetings.
The upgrade marks a significant step forward from the “Partnership for the 21st Century” established in 2006, building on six decades of diplomatic relations since 1962 and the launch of the Korea–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2015.
According to a joint statement, the new comprehensive strategic partnership will expand cooperation under three key pillars — strategic and security, prosperity and innovation, and people and planet.
The decision followed the 30-minute meeting between the two leaders. In his opening remarks, Lee welcomed Luxon and expressed gratitude for New Zealand’s contribution during the Korean War, noting that it had dispatched a significant number of troops even before the two nations had formal diplomatic ties.
“New Zealand is a very special country to the Republic of Korea,” Lee said. “We will never forget New Zealand’s dedication and contribution.”
Lee also emphasized the broadening scope of bilateral cooperation beyond the FTA, citing expanding exchanges across economic, cultural, and social sectors.
“Korea and New Zealand have become important trade partners, with smooth collaboration in defense and steadily growing cooperation in the defense industry,” he said. “I hope Prime Minister Luxon’s visit will serve as an opportunity to elevate our partnership to a new level — one built on mutual respect, trust, and cooperation.”
Luxon shared similar sentiments, describing Korea as one of New Zealand’s most important partners based on shared values and interests.
Luxon noted that Korea is currently New Zealand’s fifth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade nearly doubling since the FTA came into force. He also highlighted the strong educational and cultural ties between the two countries, pointing out that Korean students now comprise the fourth-largest group of international students in New Zealand.