South Korea delegation travelling to Canada in effort to win sub procurement contract

A delegation from South Korea says it is travelling to Canada to meet with the federal government in a bid to win a multi-billion-dollar submarine procurement contract.

Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, says on social media the group includes the country’s trade minister, the minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and officials from shipbuilding company Hanwha Ocean.

Kang says they are looking to convey to officials in Ottawa their country’s desire to expand industrial and security cooperation.

The Prime Minister’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Ottawa is looking to replace its aging fleet of submarines and has whittled down the field of bidders for the contract to Hanwha Ocean and German firm ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.

In recent months, Hanwha has placed billboards in Ottawa as part of a mass marketing campaign that marketing and defence experts say could help tip the scales in its favour.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 25, 2026.

The Canadian Press