Canada and South Korea Deepen Security and Defence Cooperation with Comprehensive Partnership Agreement

I mentioned that there were agreements coming from this visit, and agreements we got.

Canada and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have formally launched a new long-term Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership, marking a major expansion of bilateral collaboration across the full spectrum of defence, security, and industrial innovation.

This builds off the first Foreign and Defense Ministerial (2+2) Meeting held in November of last year, and the extensive work this year at the 3rd Canada-Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Meeting (Materiel)

The agreement reaffirms the existing Canada-ROK relationship, rooted in shared democratic values, human rights, and a common commitment to the international rule of law. Both countries emphasized the importance of cooperation amid a rapidly shifting global order and the deteriorating international security environment.

Officials from both nations noted that the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions are increasingly interlinked and that maintaining security and prosperity requires a coordinated response.

This also builds off the work set out in Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy to deepen engagement across the region through defense, diplomacy, and economic partnerships with a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.

To build on that Canada and South Korea reiterated their joint commitment to upholding United Nations Security Council resolutions related to North Korea and reaffirmed their dedication to achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

If you're curious about the full agreement, you can view it yourself here.

A Strategic Framework for Long-Term Cooperation

Under the framework, Canada and South Korea will institutionalize their defence and security cooperation through cementing the extensive network of dialogues and joint forums that the two have built over the last two years, including:

• Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers “2+2” Dialogue Meeting

• Director-General-level Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy Talks

• Joint Meetings on Defence Materiel Cooperation and Defence R&D

• Regular staff talks between naval, army, air, and space branches

• A Memorandum of Understanding between the Canadian Commercial Corporation and South Korea’s Defence Acquisition Program Administration

The framework cements many of the existing High-Level Dialogues established in the last two years, ensuring their continued role in bilateral defence engagement while providing mechanisms to align policies, share intelligence, and coordinate operational priorities.

This makes me extremely happy. These kinds of meetings are incredibly important, and their firm establishment as set policy ensures that they remain here for years to come. These, combined with other dialogues established later ensure that Canada and Korea not only foster regular engagement, but have dedicated forums to tackle individual issues together.

Both governments also committed to fostering multilateral dialogue with like-minded partners and will extend invitations to each other’s key security events, including the Seoul Defense Dialogue and Halifax International Security Forum.

From here we immediately jump into the defence side of things. Military-to-Military Cooperation forms the backbone of the new agreement, and with it comes a lot of new commitments to interoperability and integration.

Canada and South Korea have pledged to expand participation in joint operations, exercises, and training activities. This includes enhanced coordination within the United Nations Command in Korea and continued collaboration on enforcing sanctions against the DPRK.

Both sides intend to establish a common framework for interoperability, facilitating exchanges of personnel, equipment, and supplies. This is a key pillar of a potential CPSP partnership, facilitating Canada’s acquisition and sustainment of the KSS-III. Personnel is especially important given the desire to train Canadian sailors on the KSS-III while we wait for our first.

This can be extended to other things though, and sets the stage for deeper cooperation in a number of other areas. Maritime security is also a central pillar, with joint efforts to defend the rules-based maritime order under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Special operations collaboration will also grow through a new Memorandum of Understanding between Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command and South Korea’s Army Special Warfare Command. Intelligence-sharing and defence information exchanges will deepen, particularly through participation in regional forums such as the Indo-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference (IPICC).

Recognizing the increasing connection between the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic theatres, both nations will encourage cooperation between NATO and South Korea, particularly in areas of shared security concern.

The agreement further promotes civil-military collaboration for humanitarian and disaster relief operations, emphasizing joint responses to natural disasters such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes.

Expanding Defence Industry and Innovation

A major element of the partnership is the expansion of defence industrial and technological cooperation.

Canada and South Korea will continue exchanges on their respective defence industrial strategies, using existing mechanisms such as the Defence Materiel Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding and annual joint meetings as key forums for identifying industrial collaboration opportunities.

The agreement calls for:

• Strengthening defence industrial collaboration through co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment initiatives

• Promoting technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and local manufacturing opportunities

• Encouraging trade and investment in the defence sector by reducing barriers and promoting fair procurement practices

• Expanding joint R&D and testing under the existing Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Research and Development

Current cooperation in anti-submarine warfare research between Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) will serve as a foundation for broader R&D engagement in other defence fields.

A new, co-hosted Defence Industry Cooperation Forum will be launched to connect government, industry, and academia from both countries. The forum will serve as a strategic platform to promote industrial innovation, strengthen supply chains, and create export opportunities for both Canadian and Korean defence firms.

This is the Canada-Korea Roadshow we have been hyping here the last few months. The event in scheduled to be held in about two weeks or so, amd I couldn't be happier to see it become an annual event.

In fact, I think it provides a great framework for hosting similar events eith other key allies. While Canada hosts many industrial events (CANSEC, DEFSEC, Best Defence) there is a general lack of country-country engagement.

For example while Hanwha regularly attends events many of the other Korean compamies don't. This event provides a lot of them a chance to still engage with key stakeholders and Industry.

Annual reciprocal participation in major defence trade shows such as CANSEC in Ottawa and ADEX in Seoul will further boost industry-to-industry collaboration. Ministerial-led trade missions will also be organized to explore targeted industrial partnerships.

Both nations will prioritize defence supply chain security and resilience, with cooperation extending into critical materials such as energy, minerals, and metals—including steel, aluminum, and nickel alloys vital to defence manufacturing.

This was a major desire for the Canadian side, and the Koreans have recently expressed interest in diversifying their Critical Mineral Supply Chain with Canada as a major partner. They currently have plans to work with Algoma Steel in the event of a CPSP award.

Collaborative opportunities will also be pursued under the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR)*initiative.

Cybersecurity, Space, and Hybrid Threats

Recognizing the evolving nature of modern threats, Canada and South Korea will intensify cooperation in the cyber, space, and hybrid domains. Both nations plan to conduct regular exchanges on hybrid threats, emerging and disruptive technologies, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Upcoming Canada-ROK Cyber Policy Consultations will provide a framework for regular dialogue on national defence-related cyber issues, threat analysis, and policy coordination. The two countries will explore collaboration on the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems in the military sphere, ensuring ethical and secure application of these technologies.

The agreement also promotes deeper coordination on responses to hybrid threats targeting digital networks, energy grids, and undersea infrastructure. Both countries will share best practices on resilience and participate in joint exercises and scenario-based discussions.

In the space domain, the two nations will establish a formal Space Security Dialogue under the umbrella of their Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy Talks. This initiative aims to ensure a safe and sustainable space environment while promoting the development of international norms and principles of responsible behaviour.

Hanwha has already engaged MDA and Telesat as potential CPSP partners. I have it on good authority that the Koreans are greatly interested in Lightspeed and future launch options from Canadian soil to complement theor own capacity.

Space is becoming an increasingly improtsnt domain, and Korea is quickly establishing itself as a major player in space, including with the indigenously developed Korean Space Launch Vehicles, the third generation of which will solidify Korean capacity for domestic Medium-Launch.

The room for cooperation there, leveraging Canadian infrastructure with Korean equipment presents a very rare, very interesting avenue for future space cooperation.

Canada and South Korea also plan to engage with third countries and multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, to advance global space governance.

Supporting Global Stability and the Future

The partnership extends beyond bilateral cooperation, encompassing broader support for capacity building and global security. Canada and South Korea will explore opportunities for joint initiatives in peace operations, Women, Peace and Security programs, and partner capacity-building efforts in the defence and security sectors.

Climate security has also been identified as an emerging area of collaboration. Discussions will build on Canada’s leadership through the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE), which focuses on adapting to the security impacts of climate change while reducing the environmental footprint of defence operations.

Progress under the new Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership will be reviewed regularly through the Canada-ROK Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy Talks. Results will be reported to the biannual ministerial-level “2+2” dialogue to ensure continued alignment of priorities and identify areas for further development.

Both governments have agreed that the partnership will remain flexible, allowing for the creation of new consultative mechanisms and the expansion of existing dialogues as necessary. The content of the agreement will be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect evolving strategic needs.

A Renewed Commitment to Shared Security

With this agreement, Canada and South Korea have signaled their intent to elevate their relationship from shared values to shared capabilities. It solidified much of the work done in the last year, establishing the Canadian Korean relationship as a lasting, growing relationship.

Combined with the soon-to-be signing of the Canada-Korea General Security of Information Agreement, both our countries are firmly set to transform our cooperative relationship into a true Strategic Partnership.

The frameworks will exist for sharing classified information, personnel, and equipment. These frameworks will also open new avenues for Joint Development, Research and Development, and for creating an Integrated Canada-Korea supply chain.

Further to that, Canadian and Korean companies will now have an annual, dedicated space for discussion and cooperative development. Officials will now have an established series of Annual and Biannual events to meet and engage on collective security and policy.

This includes dedicated events for key topics like AI, Cybersecurity, Space, and R&D. This much needed complement supplements the larger Joint meetings, and create more space to tackle difficult issues with the time and dedication they deserve.

I am overjoyed to see most of the established dialogues and events cemented as permanent. Everyone knows I love events like these. They are a critical piece of any Strategic Partnership.

Some things I was expecting are missing here, such as a MOU for Joint Training and Tech Transfer in the Shipbuilding Industry. That was first announced early this year and has yet to be signed.

Still, this is more than enough for me. A pat on the back to everyone involved, thos agreement is absolutely excellent.

This new framework marks a milestone in bilateral defence relations, transforming the long-standing partnership forged during the Korean War into a comprehensive modern alliance ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

It only goes up from here!