Korea and Canada Hold the First Director-General-Level Foreign and Defense (2+2) Meeting
“Advancing Security and Defense Cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”
The Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defense of the Republic of Korea and Canada held the First Korea–Canada Foreign and Defense (2+2) Director-General-Level Meeting via videoconference on October 2.
During the session, both sides reviewed progress made since the establishment of the Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministers’ Meeting in November 2024 and assessed the steady development of bilateral cooperation in the security and defense sectors under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The meeting was co-chaired by Hong Ji-pyo, Director-General for North American Affairs at Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Kwang-seok, Director-General for International Policy at the Ministry of National Defense.
The Canadian delegation included Joya Donnelly, Director-General for Northeast Asia at Global Affairs Canada; Martin Larose, Director-General for International Security Policy and Strategy; and T.A. Morehen, Director-General for International Security Policy at the Canadian Department of National Defence.
Both sides agreed to hold the Director-General-Level (2+2) Meeting on a biennial basis.
The two countries noted the continued momentum of high-level exchanges since the inauguration of their new governments earlier this year.
They highlighted the successful Korea–Canada Summit on the margins of the G7 Summit in June, the visit to Canada by the Korean Presidential Special Envoy in July, and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held last week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Building on this momentum, the two sides agreed to further deepen and expand cooperation in a wide range of areas, including defense and defense industry, energy supply chain security, cyber and space security, responses to hybrid threats, and multilateral cooperation, including within NATO.
The two governments also agreed to launch the Korea–Canada Indo-Pacific Dialogue and the Cyber Policy Dialogue at the earliest opportunity, as well as to proceed with the signing of a Military and Defense Information Security Agreement.
These initiatives will advance the key outcomes of the First Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministers’ Meeting and further institutionalize bilateral security cooperation.
Both sides also agreed to maintain close communication to hold the Second Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministers’ Meeting at the earliest possible date.
In addition, they discussed cooperation to ensure that the visit of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Korea for the APEC Summit in Gyeongju in November will serve as an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations.
A senior official from Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated,
“This meeting marked significant progress in enhancing bilateral cooperation across core strategic sectors such as security, defense, energy, and cyber.
Korea and Canada will continue to build on their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to serve as a model for global peace, stability, and economic security cooperation.”
Noah Note: More meetings! I love meetings. Especially very obscure ones. Obviously there isnt much here thats a surprise. If you've been following along the last little while you'll remember a lot of these talking points from before.
Getting a GSOIA signed is on everyone's priority list, has been for a while. Same with getting that next Foreign and Defense (2+2) Ministers' Meeting set for next year. That is also held at a biennial basis, the last of which being in November of last year.
Similarly the idea of a Korea-Canada Indo-Pacific Dialogue was also discussed last year, but like many things was slightly derailed by both our countries respective government collapses (also one little coup attempt but whos counting) and then elections. It happens. No shame everyone.
I love the Idea of an Indo-Pacific Dialogue. Its a great way to get perspective from each other on Issues, and provides a host of benefits as we try and establish ourselves as a constant in the Indo-Pacific.
We have to get out there if we want to build relationships. Forums like this with a major ally, which not only will help with dialog, create more space for cooperation, and allow for timely discussions on topics, but also give us a place we have say in to engage with other lesser partners.
These are good things, and talks like these bring us one step closer to realization. Prime Minister Carney will be visiting at the emd of the month. Hopefully we hear a bit on these initatives then!