Reference News, January 27 report - According to Reuters, on January 26, the head of the South Korean presidential office said he would travel to Canada with executives from Hyundai Motor and representatives from shipbuilding companies such as Hanwha Group and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, in an effort to win an important submarine contract.
South Korea is competing with Germany's TKMS company for a project to build up to 12 diesel-electric submarines in Canada. Industry insiders estimate that the project is worth more than $12 billion.
The head of the presidential office, Kang Hoon-kyung, said, "Considering that we are competing against a manufacturing power like Germany, we believe the prospects are not necessarily optimistic."
Kang Hoon-kyung told reporters before departing for Canada with the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Kim Jung-hwan, "I hope to directly demonstrate the outstanding performance of our submarine, as well as the commitment of the South Korean government to expand industrial and security cooperation between the two countries."
Kang Hoon-kyung said that this submarine project will be one of the largest defense procurement projects in South Korea, expected to bring economic benefits of over 40 trillion won (approximately $27.8 billion) and create 20,000 jobs.
President Yoon Suk-yeol has pledged to build the world's fourth-largest defense industry power - at present, he is striving to strengthen national defense capabilities.
Canada is a founding member of NATO, with the longest coastline in the world, including the Arctic region. Canada plans to purchase new submarines to enhance its underwater surveillance and deterrence capabilities, as its four submarines from the 1990s have become increasingly outdated. (Translated by Zhao Feifei)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7599953393917936154/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author themselves.