South Korean Envoy Lobbies Canadian Officials for Submarine Bid Ahead of Late-June Decision

Presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik met with Canadian officials on June 3, 2026, to request an objective and fair evaluation of South Korea's submarine-building capability. Kang is visiting Canada as President Lee Jae Myung's special envoy for strategic economic cooperation while Seoul seeks a contract to supply 12 naval submarines to Ottawa.

Kang wrote on his Facebook page that he met Marc-Andre Blanchard, chief of staff to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

During the meeting, Kang discussed ways to expand energy partnership and cooperation among middle powers and asked for Canada's objective and fair evaluation in consideration of the excellence of South Korean submarines and economic impacts through industrial cooperation.

Kang also visited Canada's Senate. There he explained the economic impact Seoul's proposal to expand industrial cooperation in connection with the submarine project would have on the Canadian economy and asked for the Canadian parliament's support for Seoul's bid.

In a meeting with Industry Minister Melanie Joly, Kang stated that South Korea's cooperation with Canada on submarines will help boost economic growth and create around 430,000 jobs by 2044. He also met with Energy Minister Tim Hodgson to discuss energy cooperation on imports of crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and key minerals.

A South Korean consortium is competing with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to secure the Canadian submarine contract.

The final winner is expected to be announced in late June.