Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Promised to expand cooperation for combined exercises in the Indo-Pacific

P1 Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup (left) discusses defense cooperation with Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre at the Defense Ministry building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on June 9. Provided by the Ministry of National Defense

P2 Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-kyum (right) meets Gen. Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff on June 9. Provided by Joint Chiefs of Staff

On June 9, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup met with Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre and discussed the security situations on the Korean Peninsula and the region, and bilateral defense cooperation at the Defense Ministry building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Minister Lee expressed gratitude for Canada’s active support for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, noting that Gen. Eyre served as the non-American Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command (UNC) from 2018 to 2019 for the first time in its history.

General Eyre expressed particular interest in security on the Korean Peninsula, and said, “Canada will continue its mission of the UNC to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”

Minister Lee and Gen. Eyre confirmed the similarity of strategies of Korea and Canada to strengthen the Rule-based International Order in the Indo-Pacific region, and agreed to deepen and expand cooperation in various areas including combined exercises and the defense industry. Minister Lee explained major defense events for the second half of this year such as the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) and ROK-UNC Member States Defense Ministerial Meeting and asked for the interest and participation of Canada.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Seung-kyum also met with Gen. Eyre and assessed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region and exchanged views on ways to promote military cooperation.

Both countries resolved to strengthen mutual cooperation and broaden the scope of cooperation in the military and defense industry sectors for stability in the Indo-Pacific region since the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) last September.

Chairman Kim shared an assessment of North Korea’s nuclear and WMD threats, and asked for Canada’s continued support for the Korean government’s policy for the North. In addition, he expressed appreciation for Canada’s implementation of sanctions against North Korea, and for making a significant contribution to stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

Canada, one of Korea’s key allies, sent 27,000 soldiers during the Korean War, making it the third largest contributor of forces following the United States and the UK. This year marks the second visit to Korea by Chief of Defense Staff from Canada in 20 years, with the first one having occurred in 2003.

Hyun-woo, Seo <lgiant61@dema.mi.kr>

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