South Korea and Canada pledge deeper ties in defense, energy and AI
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand agreed to broaden cooperation on defence, energy and artificial intelligence during a phone call.
In a telephone conversation, South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand committed to widening practical cooperation in defence and the arms industry, building on the Security and Defense Cooperation Partnership established in October 2025 after a summit in Gyeongju. The dialogue will also cover joint efforts in advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, ahead of a science and technology committee session scheduled for next month in Seoul.
Energy security featured prominently, with both parties pledging to ensure stable supplies and to cooperate on critical mineral supply chains, reflecting a recent rise in South Korean imports of Canadian crude oil and liquefied natural gas. Cho requested continued Canadian assistance for South Korean companies operating in Canada, especially those investing heavily in batteries and advanced materials. The ministers also exchanged views on broader regional issues, such as the Middle East, and reaffirmed their intent to work together for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the wider region.
Why it matters
The agreement deepens strategic ties between two Pacific allies, linking defence, energy and tech cooperation that could shape regional security and supply chains.
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