Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

They issued a joint communique from the first Korea/Canada Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting

They condemned the Russia-North Korea military alliance and called for the withdrawal of troops

Both sides pledged to hold regular Army Staff talks and expand combined training exercises

The defense ministerial meeting discussed strengthening defense industry cooperation

The foreign affairs and defense authorities of Korea and Canada called for the withdrawal of North Korean troops dispatched to Russia. They reaffirmed that North Korea’s further nuclear tests will receive a stern response from the international community, and agreed to realize a denuclearized Korean Peninsula of freedom, peace, and prosperity. They decided to launch regular Army Staff talks and hold the third joint committee on the arms industry and logistics in Canada next year.

Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair, and Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly held the first Korea-Canada Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting (2+2) in Ottawa, Canada on November 1 (local time) and issued a joint communique.

The officials of the two countries condemned in the strongest possible terms the growing military alliance between Russia and North Korea, which violates UN Security Council resolutions, including North Korea’s provision of millions of rounds of ammunition and ballistic missiles to Russia. They expressed serious concern about numerous North Korean soldiers sent to Russia and called for the immediate halt of illegal, destabilizing acts and the withdrawal of North Korean troops.

They made it clear that the North’s continuous provocations, such as ICBM tests, violate UN Security Council resolutions and international law. They reaffirmed that any further nuclear tests by North Korea would be met with a strong and resolute response from the international community. They continued to call for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

Canada and the ROK are committed to deepening partnerships in security and advancing shared defense priorities through bilateral and multilateral initiatives.

They highlighted the valuable contributions of the United Nations Command (UNC) to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. They assessed that the co-hosting of the UNC Ministerial together in Seoul in September this year is a symbol of the powerful ties and shared priorities in the areas of security and defense.

The ministers decided to strengthen bilateral and multilateral exercises, including holding regular Army Staff talks. They agreed to share technical information, discuss defense equipment and technology issues of mutual interest, and identify opportunities for bilateral defense materiel cooperation. It was agreed that the third joint committee on the arms industry and logistics will be held in Canada in 2025.

Regarding Canada’s G7 Presidency and the ROK’s hosting of APEC in 2025, they agreed to continue to discuss ways to create bilateral synergy and work together toward its successful hosting.

Minister Kim had a defense ministerial meeting and bilateral meeting with Defense Minister Blair before the first Korea-Canada Foreign and Defense Ministerial Meeting and discussed ways to strengthen defense and defense industry cooperation between Korea and Canada.

The officials positively assessed the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries and committed to achieving substantial outcomes in the defense and defense industry sectors.

They strongly condemned the deployment of North Korean troops in Russia as a violation of UN Security Council Resolutions and an illegal act that destabilizes peace on the Korean Peninsula and globally. Recognizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions are increasingly interconnected, they committed to actively pursuing further measures together with the international community.

Minister Kim appreciated Canada’s active cooperation in imposing sanctions on North Korea and its contribution to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula with its activities in the United Nations Command. He suggested that bilateral cooperation be strengthened to further expand contributions to regional and global peace. Minister Blair stressed Korea’s strategic importance in the Indo-Pacific region and suggested deepening defense ties in various areas to strengthen a rules-based international order.

The two officials pledged to cooperate in various areas, including increased participation in combined exercises, strengthening solidarity with UNC member nations, and fostering cooperation with like-minded countries, and consolidating bilateral interoperability and strategic solidarity. They also agreed to seek opportunities to expand joint efforts in the defense industry and defense science and technology sectors and develop a mutually beneficial cooperation model.

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

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