Canada and Korea host 2+2 Minsiters meeting, sign new Information Sharing agreement

Noah Note

Canada and the Republic of Korea held its second 2+2 Ministers meeting today. Ministers McGuinty and Anand were joined by their counterparts from the Republic of Korea, Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ahn Gyuback, Minister of National Defense, to host the latest in a series of meetings between Korean and Canadian officials.

This is again the second such meeting to happen, with the last in 2024. This meeting also builds off Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Korea back in October and the foundation laid out in the Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Today’s meeting is far less publicized and extensive than the last meeting. In fact, even among the notably gossipy Korean media, this meeting has been relatively laid low and quiet. Of course, most of it is sort of a roundup, cementing down previous agreements and working on developing the frameworks laid out in the Strategic Partnership.

Primarily, this meeting finally secured an Agreement on the Protection of Military and Defence Classified Information that has been in the works for a long time. You might also hear of it as a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA).

I’ve said it before, but I’ll put it here. GSOIAs are a very important step in opening up both the defence market and creating lasting industrial partnerships.

These are an important part of building up the Defence Industrial Base that gets missed by a lot of folks. It sets up a proper framework for sharing information that goes into things like tech transfers, joint cooperation on new technologies, and provides industry a way to access classified information to better bid on projects.

Basically, it provides a set way for government and industry to access classified information from a foreign country, in basic terms at least. For industry, this means a process for getting verified and, in turn, access to the information they need to bid on projects or exchange classified information with foreign companies.

GSOIAs become even more important now with the new Build-Partner-Buy framework. Having the legal and organizational agreements in place to allow the rapid, large-scale sharing of sensitive information is critical in both securing IP, which the Federal Government is very keen on, and ensuring that partnerships can move forward without facing major delays or restrictions.

Canada notably signed several new GSOIAs with key partners last year, including Spain and Portugal. There are several more in the works that we should see this year, hopefully.

Anyway, before I ramble on, here is the official joint statement from today’s meeting:

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February 25, 2026 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Today, at the Canada–Republic of Korea Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Meeting, Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, alongside their counterparts from the Republic of Korea, Cho Hyun, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ahn Gyuback, Minister of National Defense, issued the following statement:

“We, the ministers of foreign affairs and ministers of national defence of Canada and the Republic of Korea (ROK), met in Ottawa on February 25, 2026, for the second Canada–ROK Foreign and Defence (2+2) Ministerial Meeting. We reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation at a time of heightened strategic competition, rapidly evolving technologies and increasing pressure on open, democratic societies.

“The changing international landscape continues to underscore the importance of strong, resilient partnerships among likeminded states. As middle powers confronting a more unpredictable global order, Canada and the ROK are deepening collaboration to protect our shared security, economic stability and values.

“In this context, Canada and the ROK agree to pursue an update of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan to better align with current geopolitical realities and government priorities.

Partners for global stability

“Canada and the ROK remain firmly committed to international peace and security, including in areas of conflict or facing the threat of conflict. We reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and call for the withdrawal of Russian forces.

“We express grave concern at the military cooperation between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the Russian Federation, as well as ongoing destabilizing actions by the DPRK in the Korean Peninsula, such as malicious cyber activities and repeated ballistic missile launches, which violate UN Security Council resolutions. We urge the DPRK to cease all provocations and to return to meaningful dialogue.

We reiterate our unwavering commitment to upholding UN Security Council resolutions related to the DPRK and to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Canada noted ROK’s efforts to resume dialogue through proactive de-escalation and confidence-building measures, aiming to achieve peaceful coexistence and shared growth on the Korean Peninsula by expanding inter-Korean exchanges, normalization of relations and achieving denuclearization in a phased manner.

“Canada and the ROK remain committed to protecting and promoting human rights in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.

“Canada and the ROK strongly support the maintenance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and oppose any unilateral actions that seek to alter the status quo. We also emphasise the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and overflight in and above the South China Sea, consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Indo-Pacific region

“Canada and the ROK continue to support a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law, recognizing the region’s centrality to global security and economic growth.

“We note the strong leadership demonstrated through Canada’s hosting of the G7 summit in 2025, and the ROK’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings in 2025, which advanced shared priorities, including economic security, supply chain resilience, strengthening technological governance and regional cooperation. Building on this momentum, we will enhance coordination in each of these areas to support open and connected Indo-Pacific partnerships.

“We further reaffirm our commitment to deepening engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and supporting ASEAN Centrality in the regional architecture.

Security and defence

“Having launched the new Canada-ROK Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership (SDCP) in October 2025, we commit to expanding and strengthening our security and defence cooperation to address evolving traditional and emerging threats. The implementation of this landmark agreement will be guided by a new SDCP Action Plan to ensure the materialization of these commitments.

“In this context, the governments of Canada and the ROK have signed the Agreement on the Protection of Military and Defence Classified Information, which will strengthen our mutual engagement through support for cooperative defence relationships, and the expansion of markets and by enhancing industry competitiveness for defence contractors in both countries.

“We will enhance operational cooperation through expanded bilateral and multilateral exercises and sign the Terms of Reference on regular Air Force Staff Talks in 2026, complementing the Navy, Army, Space and Strategic Policy talks already underway. We will advance our shared priorities in the area of maritime security and defending the rules-based maritime system, in accordance with international law, including working together to uphold UNCLOS.

“We will initiate measures to commence negotiations on a Defence Cooperation Agreement, including a legal framework to improve interoperability, and to facilitate cooperative activities between both countries. Within this agreement, we will also continue strengthening cooperation on defence science, technology, and materiel, including through established defence cooperation frameworks.

“Canada values the ROK’s deepening engagement with NATO as a trusted partner and looks forward to continued collaboration on shared security priorities across both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.

Addressing cyber, technology, AI and space security challenges

“Cyber threats, digital interference and rapid technological change pose accelerating challenges to national resilience and shared security.

“We confirm that the inaugural Canada-Korea Cyber Policy Consultations will take place in March 2026, enabling deeper cooperation on policy development, cyber resilience, critical infrastructure protection, threat information sharing and developing international norms. We also reaffirm the need to counter challenges of foreign information manipulation and interference and hybrid threats, as well as to strengthen democratic resilience in the face of increasingly complex information space challenges.

“Canada and the ROK recognize that AI safety, security and trustworthiness are rapidly becoming defining elements of global stability. Both countries are taking leadership roles in shaping responsible AI governance and ensuring that emerging technologies are developed, deployed and used in ways that advance safety, security, transparency and respect for human rights, while facilitating AI-driven innovation and ensuring its benefits for everyone. We commit to deepening cooperation on AI policy and standards, responsible uses of AI and the prevention of malicious or destabilizing uses of advanced technologies. We look forward to continuing regular dialogue and collaboration.

“Canada and the ROK recognize the potential of the space economy in the New Space era and commit to advancing practical, forward-looking cooperation on expanding civil and commercial space partnerships grounded in mutual trust and innovation.

“The space domain is becoming increasingly contested as threat actors acquire more advanced counterspace capabilities, putting our strategic advantage and national interests at risk. Canada is keen to work with the ROK to establish a Space Security Dialogue, with the aim of ensuring a safe, secure, stable and sustainable space domain.

Looking forward

“Our partnership is grounded in shared values, strategic alignment and a long history of cooperation. We reaffirm our commitment to convening this 2+2 Ministerial Meeting on a biennial basis, with the next meeting to be held in the ROK in 2028.”

Annex: Joint deliverables (2026)

Today, the ministers of foreign affairs and ministers of defence of Canada and the ROK announced the following:

• “Signing of the Agreement on the Protection of Military and Defence Classified Information;

• “Initiation of measures to commence negotiations on a Defence Cooperation Agreement, including a legal framework to improve interoperability, and to facilitate cooperative activities between both countries;

• “Action Plan to implement the Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership.”

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As you can see, a lot of this is continuing to implement the major agreements laid out from the October partnership. The key agreement to look for is the Defence Cooperation Agreement in the works. There is potentially a lot that will be going into this one, and it in itself could be on the scale of the October agreement.

It’ll be especially interesting to see how it develops, as it seems unlikely an agreement will come together before a Canadian Patrol Submarine selection, which is currently scheduled for the summer.

I should say a partner downselection, as it won’t be a contract officially signed. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see this developing in tandem with a potential win/loss for Team Korea. A lot of the existing proposals and plans are tied into a Hanwha win.

Assuming a loss, one has to wonder where exactly Team Korea goes from here. While the Germans have numerous opportunities to either lead or benefit from major projects like IFM, HDFM, and MEDCAV, the Koreans will have a far harder time breaking through—harder, I believe, than CPSP.

Chunmoo has rumors but no detailed comeback. K9 is highly unlikely, and the Leopard is very likely to remain our main family for Heavy Direct Fires. There is an opportunity for the TF-50, but the competition for Canada’s future jet trainer remains tough.

I don’t want to sound dismissive, but CPSP remains the primary avenue for the Koreans to break into the Canadian defence scene. The Germans have a ton of options; they ain’t the ones who will struggle in the future. They have lots of goodwill, platforms in service, and the natural benefit of being a NATO/European partner.

The same benefits they have here naturally benefit them elsewhere, and there they hold some distinct advantages. So, I am very keen to see as we draw closer how a potential Defence Cooperation Agreement develops with either reality.

Some food for thought tonight, I guess. I’m just rambling off a bit. This isn’t new stuff, nor new concerns. We’ve all been discussing it for over a year. I guess we’ll have to wait and see after a partner is downselected what reactions will be.

I don’t think there’s a winning scenario there, mind you. I think we have to accept one side being very upset. Such is the reality of the situation when dealing with a project so monstrous and monumental in scale that nothing else comes close in the future plans.