"K-Defense Industry's Challenge Continues"... President Lee Engages in Defense Diplomacy at NATO

[Anchor]

Hanwha Ocean has ultimately failed to secure the Canadian submarine project, a deal worth up to 60 trillion won. President Lee Jae-myung stated, "It is regrettable, but the challenge of K-Defense will continue." President Lee, who departed for Türkiye to attend the NATO summit, plans to continue his diplomatic efforts to expand defense exports.

Reporter Kang Cheongwan has the story.

[Reporter]

After news broke that the Canadian government had selected a German firm, rather than Hanwha Ocean, as the provider for its next-generation submarine project, President Lee Jae-myung posted a message on social media titled, "The bold challenge of 'K-Defense' continues."

While noting that the expected result was not achieved, he wrote that the nation clearly demonstrated its potential to the international community and that it "will continue to take on bold challenges in the future."

He added that the government would do everything in its power, including supporting defense industry research and development, assisting with exports, and strengthening international cooperation.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration also assessed the situation, stating, "The fact that South Korea, which once imported submarine technology from Germany, competed on equal footing with the origin country of the technology is an achievement that demonstrates the growth of our defense technological capabilities."

President Lee departed for Ankara, Türkiye, today (July 7) to attend the NATO summit, where he will engage in diplomatic efforts to target the world's largest NATO defense industry market.

[Wi Sung-lac / Director of the National Security Office: It holds particular significance as it marks the full-scale promotion of defense cooperation with NATO allies, which represent the largest defense market, accounting for 55% of global defense spending.]

To this end, President Lee will deliver a keynote speech at the NATO Defense Industry Forum, a key event of this summit, tonight (Korea Standard Time) and participate in a discussion.

President Lee may also meet again with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is also attending the NATO meeting, for the first time in about 20 days since the G7 summit in France in mid-June. Attention is focused on whether they will discuss issues such as Coupang or follow-up security consultations.

(Video reporting: Jung Sang-bo | Video editing: Wi Won-yang | Graphics: Han Heung-soo)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.