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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

President Lee Meets Canadian PM for 'Concrete AI Discussions'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • South Korean President Lee Jae-myung met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey to discuss future cooperation.
  • The meeting followed a recent phone call where Carney requested Lee's consideration regarding Canada's selection of a preferred bidder for its submarine program.
  • Both leaders engaged in substantive discussions on expanding bilateral cooperation, with a particular focus on future collaborations in artificial intelligence (AI).

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung held a brief meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara, Turkey, on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit. The meeting, confirmed by National Security Advisor Wi Sung-rak, focused on strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations.

Canada has extended special courtesy by briefing our side in advance on the selection results.

— Wi Sung-rakNational Security Advisor, on Canada's submarine program selection.

This encounter followed a recent phone conversation initiated by Prime Minister Carney. During that call, Carney had requested President Lee's attention regarding Canada's selection process for its next-generation submarine program. Wi stated that Canada had extended "special courtesy" by briefing South Korea on the selection outcome in advance, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to deepening bilateral ties.

Both leaders expressed a mutual desire to expand practical cooperation. A significant portion of their discussion centered on future collaborations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). This focus on AI highlights the growing importance of technological partnerships in the evolving global landscape.

Korea and Canada will continue to deepen their comprehensive strategic partnership.

— Wi Sung-rakNational Security Advisor, on bilateral relations.

Earlier, Canada had selected Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany as the preferred bidder for its Canadian Surface Combatant Project (CSPF). Hanwha Ocean of South Korea had been a competitor until the final stages, but Canada ultimately chose the German-Norwegian consortium, a fellow NATO member. The meeting between President Lee and Prime Minister Carney signals a continued effort to maintain and enhance the relationship despite this outcome, particularly in strategic areas like AI.

Both sides had serious and concrete discussions on future AI cooperation between the two countries.

— Wi Sung-rakNational Security Advisor, on the meeting's focus.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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