Korean government reportedly considering Special Envoy to Canada ahead of a decision on CPSP

In a surprising move the Korean government is looking at sending a Special Envoy to Canada.

President Lee Jae-myung has pegged retired 4-star general, former deputy commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces, and senior member of Korea's ruling Democratic Party Kim Byung-joo to take on the role of Special Envoy to Canada.

This decision showcases the level of change and growth that the Canadian-Korean relationship has undertaken in the last few years. The choice to appoint the former general and member of the National Assembly Defense Committee is reportedly tied to efforts to promote Team One Korea ahead of a decision on the Canadian Patrol Submarine.

One DPK official explained:

“I understand that the reason President Lee is sending Supreme Council Member Kim as a special envoy to Canada is related to strengthening defense industry cooperation between the two countries.”

The Korean government has made renewed efforts recently with the expectation that a contract decision is coming in the next year. DAPA officials have made multiple trips the last few months ths to Canada, as I have spoken about before. President Lee's recent trip to the G7 was also focused on defence, with the President saying as such yesterday at the 1st Defence Industry Day:

“The main reason I went there was to promote the excellence of our defense industry and to ask for the purchase of submarines.”

Korean defence officials have also spoken positively about the move, according to a quotes given to Korean media:

"If Supreme Council Member Kim, who has a military background, goes to Canada as a special envoy, it will be advantageous in explaining and persuading the Canadian government about the special features of our submarines."

Obviously the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project remains a crown jewel win for the Korean government. It is not only a major economic deal, and potential wide opening to expanding into the Canadian market but also remains a way for K-Defence to break into the Maritime domain in the West.

After the failure of Korean industry in the Australian frigate competition, CPSP remains the one major deal left for Korea's major shipyards to showcase their ability to deliver NATO-operable, advanced vessels to Western partners.

While their is also the Orka project in Poland, the general idea I see talking around is that CPSP obviously remains in a category to its own in terms of importance and necessity to win.

So it doesnt surprise me that the Korean government, who has taken a very active role in promoting the KSS-III would take the extra steps to sent a Special Envoy with the sole priority of promoting K-Defences various proposals to CAF.

I wouldn't be surprised to also hear more on the TF-50 in the next few months. Now that HIMARS is seen as inevitable, efforts to promote Chunmoo have been put on the backburner with the TF50 replacing it in conversations.

DAPA officials met with representatives from CAE at CANSEC specifically to promote the TF50 as Canadas future Lead-In Fighter Trainer. They seem to also be taking this very seriously, although most focus still remains on CPSP.

Obviously we will be seeing more come the fall. That is when we will be seeing further high-level meetings and the Defence Roadshow in October. Maybe I'll see if I can tag along with someone and attend! Why not!