Canada-Republic of Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership (SDCP)
Preface
Canada and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirm the strength of their enduring partnership which is anchored in a long history of promoting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, a shared commitment to the international system based on the rule of law, common values of democracy, equality, human rights and fundamental freedoms and a shared desire to enhance the prosperity of our peoples.
Faced with a shifting global order, a deteriorating international security environment, and multidimensional threats, Canada and the ROK recognize the necessity of enhancing bilateral security and defence cooperation to address shared challenges. We recognize that threats to our security and prosperity are more interconnected than ever before and that security across regions, including in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, is increasingly interlinked. Both countries reiterate their unwavering commitment to upholding UN Security Council resolutions related to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Amid rising global instability, Canada and the ROK are reinforcing mutually beneficial cooperation under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which guides bilateral cooperation across all domains and reflects the full depth and breadth of our relationship. Under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy and with the ROK's commitment to continue strengthening cooperation with like-minded partners in the Indo-Pacific region, we will enhance collaboration to uphold a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region based on the rule of law.
Canada and the ROK reaffirm their shared commitment to global peace and security, underpinned by the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and strengthened through close collaboration in multilateral fora including the United Nations, G7+, ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting-Plus—as well as through regional security partnerships.
General framework
Canada and the ROK have decided to establish and implement a long-term, mutually beneficial Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership that will frame bilateral cooperation across the full defence and security spectrum. This strategic partnership framework will be underpinned by a series of dialogues and consultation mechanisms to provide steering and oversight:
Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers "2+2" Dialogue Meeting
Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy Talks at the Director-General level
ROK-Canada Joint Meeting (Materiel) on Defence Materiel Cooperation
ROK-Canada Joint Meeting (Defence R&D)
Regular staff talks (Navy; Army; Air; and Space)
Canadian Commercial Corporation Memorandum of Understanding with the ROK Defence Acquisition Program Administration
Canada and the ROK will promote multilateral dialogue and cooperation with like-minded countries in relevant areas of security and defence. Canada and the ROK will commit to inviting their representatives to high-level defence and security policy events of mutual interest (e.g. Seoul Defense Dialogue, Halifax International Security Forum).
Areas of cooperation
Military-to-Military Cooperation and Interoperability
Canada and the ROK will enhance exchanges on defence and security matters, as well as relevant geopolitical issues, and work to expand cooperation in the following areas:
Increase participation in joint operations, exercises, and training.
Continue close cooperation on DPRK sanctions monitoring and ongoing contributions to the United Nations Command - Korea.
Endeavour to establish a common framework to improve interoperability, and to facilitate cooperative activities, including exchanges of military personnel, equipment and supplies between both countries.
Advance shared priorities on maritime security and defending the rules-based maritime system, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Advance the relationship between Canada's Special Operations Forces Command and the ROK's Army Special Warfare Command, including development of a Memorandum of Understanding on Special Operations Forces collaboration.
Deepen military and defence intelligence cooperation, including a focused commitment to expand information sharing, endeavouring to share best practices and hold regular exchanges, and deepening cooperation through bilateral engagements at regional forums, such as the Indo-Pacific Intelligence Chiefs Conference (IPICC).
Facilitate active cooperation between NATO and the ROK, including in the context of NATO's relations with Indo-Pacific partners, fully recognizing that such coordination helps address shared challenges and improve peace and security in both the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions.
Promote greater Canada-ROK civil-military cooperation on disaster and emergency response through greater information sharing on the military's humanitarian assistance in times of crises such as forest fires, floods, and earthquakes.
Defence Industry and Innovation
Canada and the ROK will continue regular exchanges on their respective Defence Industrial Strategies and capability-related initiatives and requirements, including by leveraging the Canada-ROK Defence Materiel Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding and the annual Joint Meeting (Materiel) and its associated Working Group as the principal fora for discussing materiel-related issues and identifying potential cooperation opportunities.
Canada and the ROK are committed to strengthening defence industrial collaboration, fostering joint innovation, and providing opportunities for Canadian and Korean companies to explore partnerships for co-development, co-production, and co-sustainment, including through mechanisms such as technology transfer, knowledge sharing and local manufacturing.
Canada and the ROK will endeavour to explore opportunities to encourage trade and investment in the defence sector including by identifying mechanisms to reduce barriers to defence trade and promoting transparent, fair and competitive defence procurement practices that strengthen interoperability where appropriate.
Canada and the ROK will collaborate in defence research and development (R&D), testing, and evaluation through the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Research and Development between the Department of National Defence of Canada (DND) and the Ministry of National Defense of the ROK (MND), building upon an ongoing project between Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in anti-submarine warfare and exploring expansion of collaboration to other defence R&D topics where possible.
Canada and the ROK will establish a new, co-hosted Defence Industry Cooperation Forum, which will serve as a strategic platform to bring together government officials, industry representatives, and academia from both nations to discuss opportunities for cooperation, on joint R&D, industrial innovation, supply chain collaboration, and other related topics. The Forum will serve to strengthen Canada-ROK defence industrial cooperation, support innovation, diversify industrial partnerships, and provide enhanced export opportunities for Canadian and Korean companies.
Canada and the ROK will commit to annual reciprocal participation in select Canadian and ROK defence trade shows (e.g. CANSEC, ADEX) whereby each facilitates industry to industry exposure and collaboration. Augmenting this effort, Ministerial-led Trade Missions will take place to bring together government and industry in each country to further advance targeted defence industrial collaboration opportunities.
Canada and the ROK will endeavour to promote supply chain security and resilience in the defence sector by exploring mutually beneficial opportunities to deepen cooperation pertaining to but not limited to energy, critical minerals and other materials (e.g. steel, aluminum, nickel alloy) essential for defence production and manufacturing.
Canada and the ROK will explore potential cooperative opportunities under the auspices of the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR).
Cyber, Space, and Hybrid Threats
Canada and the ROK will deepen their cooperation on research and analysis of hybrid threats and conduct regular exchanges on emerging security challenges, including rapidly evolving cyber, emerging and disruptive technologies, and other threats to maritime and outer space, including the protection of critical infrastructure, societal resilience, and economic security.
Canada and the ROK will continue to enhance cooperation on cyber issues in the context of national defence and international security, including by leveraging upcoming Canada-ROK Cyber Policy Consultations to conduct regular exchanges on the cyber threat landscape, and associated policy frameworks.
Canada and the ROK will seek to enhance information sharing and explore potential opportunities for further collaboration on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and autonomy in the military domain.
Canada and the ROK will increase the sharing of best practices in developing strategies and policies, including coordinating responses to hybrid threats, and will increase participation in relevant exercises and scenario-based discussions as appropriate.
Canada and the ROK will strengthen consultations on their respective approaches and strategies for countering hybrid threats to mitigate disruptions to their critical infrastructure, including digital networks, energy production, and undersea infrastructure.
Canada and the ROK will address space security in the framework of their Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy Talks, including by establishing formalized Space Security Dialogue, with the aim of ensuring a safe, secure, stable and sustainable space domain. Canada and the ROK will coordinate to promote the development and implementation of norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviour in outer space in bilateral and multilateral fora (including at the United Nations) and will engage with third countries to advance this goal.
Capacity Building for partners
Canada and the ROK will explore further opportunities for coordination, cooperation and synergies in support of capacity building for partners in the field of security and defence, Women, Peace and Security, and peace support operations.
Canada and the ROK will develop discussions on the intersection of climate and security issues and explore options for cooperation, recognizing Canada's efforts through the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE). CCASCOE's mission is to adapt to the implications of climate change on their security and mitigate their own impact on climate change while strengthening operational effectiveness.
Way forward
The areas identified in this Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership will be reviewed regularly in the framework of the Canada-ROK Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy Talks, taking stock of progress and report to the biannual Foreign and Defence Dialogue at the ministerial level, with a view to further strengthening and developing the cooperation.
Canada and the ROK may expand and/or establish new consultative dialogues or mechanisms in mutually beneficial areas to strengthen the bilateral defence and military relationship.
The content of this Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership will be reviewed as appropriate.
