Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik met with Canada’s Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, Stephen Fuhr, in Seoul on Friday, as South Korea intensifies its efforts to secure Canada’s lucrative submarine project.
The meeting between Kang and Fuhr took place at Cheong Wa Dae, following earlier discussions in Canada last month. Kang’s visit to Canada was as a special envoy with the mission of promoting South Korea’s defense exports.
“Canada’s submarine project presents a significant challenge, requiring us to overcome the high entry barrier of an advanced country’s defense market,” Kang wrote on his Facebook, referencing the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, estimated at 60 trillion won (approximately $41 billion USD).
A consortium comprised of South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is among the final two contenders, competing with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
“Despite the challenges, the government and companies will work together as ‘one team,’ giving our best effort until the very end,” he added.
Kang emphasized that the government is committed to thorough preparation of the bidding proposal and presentation, carefully considering the advice and “hints” received from the Canadian official.
