Journalist

Lee Hugh
  • BTS Comeback D-43: How songs come to reshape Koreas global image
    BTS Comeback D-43: How songs come to reshape Korea's global image SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - When a government survey on South Korea’s global image is released each year, the top name rarely changes. Once again, BTS ranked first in the “2025 National Image Survey of Korea” released late last month by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The ranking itself is familiar. What is changing is what it represents. Jungkook placed sixth overall — the highest among solo artists — while online reactions framed the results less as news than as confirmation. On X, fans repeated the phrase “national treasure.” Facebook fan pages described the outcome as long-overdue recognition. The responses suggest that BTS’s influence has moved beyond novelty. It now operates as part of South Korea’s cultural infrastructure — stable, predictable and deeply embedded. The broader survey found that Korean cultural content — including K-pop, dramas and films — remains the strongest factor shaping foreigners’ views of South Korea. For many overseas audiences, entertainment has become the country’s primary point of entry. External studies reinforce the pattern. The Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange reported in its 2024 Overseas Hallyu Survey that regular exposure to Korean content increases favorability toward Korea and strengthens interest in visiting. The Korea Culture and Tourism Institute found similar links between cultural consumption, trust in Korean brands and purchasing behavior. In practical terms, liking Korean music increasingly leads to choosing Korean destinations, products and platforms. One of the clearest signs of that shift appears in language learning. In 2024, The New York Times reported that Duolingo recorded a 22 percent year-on-year rise in Korean learners in the United States. Many learners cite BTS as their starting point. Fans often say they began studying Korean to follow livestreams or understand lyrics without subtitles. Over time, that curiosity expanded to dramas, interviews and historical content. Interest, in many cases, moves from consumption to participation. In 2021, BTS’s Korean-language address at the United Nations General Assembly symbolized that shift — presenting Korean not as a niche cultural language, but as a global medium. For long-time fans, the transformation has unfolded gradually. Some describe pride in “growing up” alongside the group, watching both BTS and Korean culture gain confidence on the global stage. Others say the group’s discipline and longevity became a personal source of motivation. As the 2026 comeback approaches, those reflections are resurfacing online, with fans revisiting past milestones and tracing how their own engagement has evolved. At the 2025 APEC CEO Summit, RM noted that a decade earlier, few would have expected Korean-language songs to command worldwide attention — a reminder of how quickly the landscape has shifted. The cultural ecosystem surrounding BTS now extends well beyond pop. Hwang Eun-soon, director of the Cheongju National Museum, has said the institution plans to develop exhibitions that connect traditional metal culture with contemporary perspectives — reflecting a wider effort to reinterpret heritage for new audiences. BTS’s decision to incorporate “Arirang” into their comeback fits this trajectory. Tradition is not presented as a museum piece, but as material that can circulate through modern platforms. National image rarely changes overnight. It is shaped through repetition, familiarity and trust. The annual survey, where BTS continues to rank first, captures that accumulation. What began as global curiosity has matured into routine engagement — visible in language classrooms, tourism data and consumer habits. As March 21 approaches, BTS’s return highlights not just another comeback, but a cultural system that has learned how to sustain influence over time — quietly, consistently and at scale. 2026-02-06 17:15:14
  • Weverse hits record growth as BTS and BLACKPINK return to global stage
    Weverse hits record growth as BTS and BLACKPINK return to global stage SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - The return of K-pop’s most influential acts, BTS and BLACKPINK, has fueled a significant surge in user engagement for Weverse, the global fan community platform. According to the 2025 Weverse Fandom Trend report released on February 6, the platform reached several new milestones in user growth and activity over the past year. The resurgence was most visible following the military discharge of BTS members in June last year. New followers for the group’s community spiked by over 300 percent compared to the previous month, with the total follower count surpassing 30 million in July. Similarly, BLACKPINK became the first girl group on the platform to exceed 10 million followers in January. The group also recorded the highest digital product sales on the platform following the announcement of their latest world tour. Driven by these major names, Weverse reported a monthly active user count of over 12 million. The platform now hosts 178 different artists and recorded 200 million viewers for its live streaming service, Weverse Live, with cumulative views reaching 1 billion. User retention also improved, with the average monthly time spent on the app rising to 263 minutes, up from 237 minutes the previous year. The platform’s growth extends well beyond South Korean acts. KATSEYE, a girl group formed through a joint venture between HYBE and Geffen Records, saw its average Weverse Live viewership grow by 490 percent, with its community surpassing 2 million members. The Japan-based boy group &TEAM also maintained high engagement, conducting 199 live broadcasts over the year. Weverse further noted a significant expansion in Latin America, where sales of digital products surged by more than 700 percent. Weverse, launched in 2019, is the flagship service of Weverse Company, a subsidiary of HYBE. HYBE is the South Korean entertainment giant behind BTS and houses multiple labels including Pledis Entertainment, ADOR, and Source Music. While initially focused on HYBE’s own roster, the platform has evolved into a global ecosystem by integrating artists from rival agencies and international labels. This includes major Western artists such as Ariana Grande and Conan Gray, as well as Japanese acts like YOASOBI and AKB48. The report highlighted that fans are increasingly evolving into "super fans" through active communication tools such as Weverse DM and digital memberships. Large-scale communities with over 3 million members increased from five in 2024 to nine last year, while total merchandise sales through Weverse Shop rose from 20.6 million to 25.2 million items. Weverse stated that the platform has proven to be a space where fans can discover and expand the joy of fandom activities tailored to their own preferences. The company plans to continue focusing on the fandom experience to allow fans to interact more deeply with artists. 2026-02-06 17:13:35
  • LG Energy Solution to Buy Stellantis Stake, Take Full Control of NextStar Energy
    LG Energy Solution to Buy Stellantis Stake, Take Full Control of NextStar Energy LG Energy Solution said Thursday it will convert its Canadian joint venture with Stellantis, NextStar Energy, into a wholly owned subsidiary by acquiring Stellantis’ 49% stake. NextStar Energy began producing batteries for energy storage systems, or ESS, in late November. LG Energy Solution said it plans to run the Canadian plant this year as a production hub to target the North American ESS market. The company is expected to benefit from improved profitability because it will receive investment subsidies from the Canadian government on its own, as well as subsidies equivalent to the U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, or AMPC. LG Energy Solution said the two companies will keep their partnership intact after the deal. Stellantis will continue to receive electric vehicle batteries from the Canadian plant as previously planned even after selling its stake. With the acquisition, LG Energy Solution will operate three ESS production bases in North America, following its plants in Holland and Lansing, Michigan. It plans to nearly double ESS production capacity by the end of this year to 60 gigawatt-hours globally, including more than 50 GWh in North America. NextStar Energy is in stable mass production and plans to more than double ESS battery output this year. Chief Executive Officer Kim Dong Myung said the Canadian site strengthens the company’s growth foundation in North America. “We will not only respond quickly to surging ESS demand, but also secure additional North America-based customers and build our position to play a key role in the EV industry,” he said. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-06 16:54:00
  • BTS, ENHYPEN, and SEVENTEEN lead Parrot Analytics global demand rankings for 2025
    BTS, ENHYPEN, and SEVENTEEN lead Parrot Analytics global demand rankings for 2025 SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - BTS has been named the most popular act in the global entertainment market for 2025, according to a year-end report from Parrot Analytics. The group spearheaded a dominant year for the South Korean entertainment giant HYBE, with labelmates ENHYPEN and SEVENTEEN also securing spots within the top 10. The 2025 annual report, "What Audiences Loved in 2025," ranked BTS at the top of the "Talents of the Year Under 30" category. ENHYPEN took second place, while SEVENTEEN followed at number eight. These rankings are based on "Average Demand," a standardized metric developed by Parrot Analytics to quantify audience attention. Unlike traditional charts that focus solely on sales or streams, this data captures a wide range of engagement signals—including social media activity, search engine queries, and fan research—to measure the total global demand for a specific artist or brand. Parrot Analytics noted that BTS remained a focal point of global interest throughout 2025. Despite a period of limited group activities, the group saw repeated spikes in demand driven by the annual "BTS FESTA" and various solo projects from individual members. The report suggested that the group has reached a level of fame where its brand functions as a permanent piece of cultural infrastructure. ENHYPEN's high ranking was attributed to its successful transition to larger global venues. Following a performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, the group launched its "WALK THE LINE" world tour, which consisted of 29 shows across 18 cities. According to data from the tour, the group drew approximately 676,000 attendees, including its encore performances in South Korea. SEVENTEEN also saw significant commercial success, with its fifth studio album, "HAPPY BURSTDAY," peaking at number two on the Billboard 200. The group's tour activities attracted more than 1.26 million fans across 38 performances worldwide. Its 10th-anniversary event, "B-DAY PARTY," saw over 352,000 visitors attend a special exhibition and solo stage at Seoul's Jamsu Bridge and Banpo Hangang Park. The report concluded that K-pop artists are leading a shift in the global market toward consumption models driven by digital culture and highly active fandoms. Following this period of sustained global demand, BTS is scheduled to return to the stage as a full group on March 21. The comeback performance, titled "BTS THE COMEBACK LIVE | ARIRANG," will take place at 8 p.m. at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The event marks the release of the group's new 14-track album, "ARIRANG," which arrives on March 20. According to BigHit Music and reports from Netflix, the concert will be broadcast live to more than 190 countries, marking the first time a live solo concert from South Korea has been streamed globally on the platform. 2026-02-06 16:49:20
  • Back to back in conventional arms, India and Korea have room for alliance
    Back to back in conventional arms, India and Korea have room for alliance SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Drones and AI-enabled systems now dominate headlines from modern battlefields. Yet, when wars grind on, they still come down to firepower. A recent study by the Royal United Services Institute and the Open Source Centre estimated that Russian artillery accounts for roughly 70 percent of Ukrainian casualties. The Council on Foreign Relations similarly notes that artillery remains the “king of battle,” responsible for about 80 percent of casualties in the Russia-Ukraine war. By that measure, India and South Korea stand among the world’s most capable conventional forces. In the 2026 rankings by Global Firepower, India and South Korea place fourth and fifth out of 145 countries — a rare pairing, reinforced by the fact that both remain de facto at war with hostile neighbors. Beyond that similarity, their military profiles diverge sharply. India is a nuclear-armed, all-volunteer force with one of the world’s largest standing armies. South Korea operates a conscription-based system built around a smaller active force and a massive reserve. India spends about 2.3 percent of GDP on defence, roughly $74.4 billion in 2024, ranking near sixth globally in total outlays. Its army fields more than 4,000 tanks, centered on Russian-built T-90S and T-72 platforms and indigenous Arjun variants, and plans to acquire around 1,770 Future Ready Combat Vehicles. Much of this armour is concentrated along borders with China and Pakistan, reflecting the need to cover multiple fronts across a vast landmass. South Korea, ranked fifth overall, devotes about 2.6 percent of GDP — around $43.9 billion — to defence. It maintains roughly 500,000 active-duty troops, backed by several million reservists. The army operates an estimated 2,300 to 2,500 tanks, mainly modern K1 and K2 Black Panther models, placing it among the few countries with more than 2,000 high-end main battle tanks. In practice, India relies on mass — large numbers spread across immense territory — while South Korea concentrates dense mechanisation and firepower in a compact theatre. Diverging air and naval trajectories India has been steadily shifting defence investment toward air and sea power. In 2024, budget growth for the navy and air force — about 13 percent and 26 percent — outpaced the army’s roughly 11 percent increase, according to a Korea-based KIEP brief on India’s defence modernisation. The shift reflects recognition in New Delhi that land-based defences alone are insufficient under pressure from both China and Pakistan. The Indian Air Force ranks sixth globally in the 2025 World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft. It fields about 1,716 active aircraft, with a balanced mix of fighters, helicopters and trainers. Its frontline fleet blends Russian Su-30MKIs, French Rafales and Mirage 2000s, and the indigenous Tejas, underscoring India’s reliance on multiple suppliers as it pursues stealth and next-generation programs. South Korea’s air arm is smaller but more fighter-heavy. The Republic of Korea Air Force operates roughly 822 aircraft and ranks 12th in the same index. Fighters account for more than half its inventory, anchored by F-35A stealth jets, F-15Ks, KF-16s, FA-50s and the emerging KF-21 Boramae. Geography shapes this structure. The ROKAF is optimized for air superiority and rapid strikes against North Korean artillery, missile and command targets, prioritizing high-end combat aircraft over large transport fleets. Its early adoption of fifth-generation fighters gives it an unusually dense concentration of advanced platforms. At sea, South Korea holds a modest edge. Global naval rankings place the Republic of Korea Navy fifth, ahead of India’s seventh. Seoul operates a highly modernized fleet of Aegis destroyers, advanced frigates and Dosan Ahn Chang-ho–class submarines equipped with submarine-launched ballistic missiles. India’s navy, by contrast, centers on two aircraft carriers — INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant — and Arihant-class nuclear ballistic missile submarines, making it the world’s sixth nuclear-armed submarine power. These assets support ambitions for expanded SSBN and SSN fleets. However, a significant portion of India’s surface fleet consists of older vessels facing modernization challenges, while South Korea’s smaller navy benefits from a higher share of recently built, domestically designed ships. A demanding “Make in India” customer India’s defence market is shaped by its insistence on industrial self-reliance. “Because India experienced decades of exploitation under colonial rule, there is a deep-rooted reluctance to depend purely on foreign imports,” said Jung Kyeong-woon, a research fellow at the Korea Association of Military Studies. “If you want to sell major systems to India today, the government expects you to bring factories, jobs and technology.” The war in Ukraine has highlighted the risks of India’s long dependence on Russian weapons, from delays in S-400 deliveries to shortages of spare parts for Soviet-era platforms. South Korea’s K9 Vajra programme illustrates how Seoul can adapt to this environment. A 2017 contract for 100 self-propelled howitzers, produced locally and delivered by 2021, was followed by a second order in 2024 for another 100 units through 2030. The programme combined competitive performance with domestic manufacturing — a model aligned with Make in India priorities. Attention is now turning to whether the KF-21 Boramae, set to enter full service with the ROKAF, could become South Korea’s next major export platform for India. Strategic convergence Taken together, India and South Korea represent two of the world’s most formidable conventional military powers, built on different strategic logics but comparable industrial depth. India brings scale, geographic reach and nuclear-backed deterrence. South Korea offers dense high-tech firepower, mature defence manufacturing and rapid production capacity. As supply-chain security, localisation and interoperability gain importance, the overlap between the two systems is growing. For New Delhi, Korea offers a reliable partner less encumbered by geopolitical volatility than traditional suppliers. For Seoul, India represents one of the few markets large enough to sustain long-term defence-industrial cooperation. Back to back in global rankings, the two countries now face a shared opportunity: to translate parallel strengths in conventional arms into a deeper strategic and industrial alliance. 2026-02-06 16:48:18
  • South Korean GM Supplier Workers to Return After Employment-Succession Deal
    South Korean GM Supplier Workers to Return After Employment-Succession Deal Korea GM subcontracted workers at the Sejong logistics center are set to return to work after the automaker agreed to take over their employment, ending a dispute over mass layoffs after about two months. The Korea GM Parts Logistics Branch of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union said on Thursday that Korea GM acknowledged its responsibility as the primary employer and reached a tentative agreement to succeed the employment of all subcontracted workers at the Sejong facility. Under the deal, employment succession and existing working conditions would be maintained even if the subcontractor changes. Wages for the roughly two-month layoff period will be paid as compensation. Gyeongryun Logics will take over operations from Woojin Logistics, which shut down. The union branch approved the tentative agreement at a members’ meeting. Of 96 eligible voters, 95 cast ballots, with 74 in favor and 21 against, for a 77.89% approval rate. A joint committee formed to support the union said it plans to hold a victory report event on Sunday at the domestic shipping area inside the Korea GM Sejong logistics center. A union official said, “We hope Korea GM, recognizing its responsibility as the primary employer, ensures mass layoffs are not repeated,” and added that the union also hopes restructuring at the company’s directly operated service centers will be halted.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-06 16:36:00
  • Actor Lee Beom-soo settles divorce after lengthy legal battle
    Actor Lee Beom-soo settles divorce after lengthy legal battle SEOUL, February 6 (AJP) - Actor Lee Beom-soo has settled his divorce from his wife Lee Yoon-jin after a lengthy legal battle, his management agency said on Friday. According to the agency, the estranged couple "amicably" decided to end their marriage after resolving misunderstandings through thorough discussions. They also agreed to maintain mutual respect and support as parents of their children, one son and one daughter. The agency warned against the spread of groundless rumors and false information about them. The couple's relationship began when the former new presenter and interpreter tutored the actor in English, leading to their marriage in 2010. After more than a decade together, their split surfaced in March 2024. 2026-02-06 16:27:48
  • RIIZE member Shotaro to miss Macau concert amid worsening China-Japan friction
    RIIZE member Shotaro to miss Macau concert amid worsening China-Japan friction SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Shotaro, a Japanese member of the K-pop boy group RIIZE, will not participate in the group's upcoming world tour performance in Macau, organizers announced Friday. The sudden withdrawal comes just one day before the scheduled event, as diplomatic and trade tensions between Beijing and Tokyo continue to impact the entertainment industry. In a statement posted to social media, the Macau concert production team confirmed that Shotaro would be absent from the RIIZING LOUD world tour stops on February 7 and 8. "All staff members made thorough preparations in advance so that every member could attend, but due to unavoidable and unexpected circumstances, Shotaro will not be able to participate," the organizer stated. "We once again sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused by the change in the lineup." While the production team did not provide a specific reason for the absence, industry observers attribute the move to the volatile geopolitical climate. All other members of RIIZE departed from South Korea's Incheon International Airport for Macau early on Friday, leaving Shotaro as the only member excluded from the trip. The situation mirrors a growing trend in the Chinese-speaking region, where K-pop events featuring Japanese performers have faced abrupt cancellations or lineup changes. In December 2025, girl band LE SSERAFIM canceled a fan signing event in Shanghai, with many pointing to the presence of Japanese members Sakura and Kazuha as the cause. Similar exclusions occurred with boy band Close Your Eyes, which held a Hangzhou fan meeting without Japanese member Kenshin. These incidents follow a historical pattern of Beijing using cultural access as diplomatic leverage, similar to the 2016 "Hallyu ban" following the deployment of the THAAD missile system in South Korea. The current friction, dubbed by some as a "No-Japan" cultural order, was largely triggered in November 2025 by comments from Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae regarding Taiwan's security. Beijing viewed the remarks as a provocation, leading to retaliatory measures including trade restrictions and unofficial curbs on Japanese cultural exports. 2026-02-06 16:25:21
  • Meet Koreas bread driver in the capital of bread – Daejeon 
    Meet Korea's bread driver in the capital of bread – Daejeon  SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Sixty-four-year-old An Sung-woo is not your typical South Korean taxi driver. His mornings resemble those of a corporate executive more than a cabbie. Immaculately dressed, he reviews a customized PDF itinerary on his tablet, fine-tunes it, and sends it to his clients with a courteous text. Then he goes to work — delivering bread. An’s passengers are not commuters or late-night revelers. They are bread connoisseurs. Devotees. Pilgrims. He ferries them to the finest bakeries and patisseries in Daejeon, widely regarded as Korea’s capital of bread. By the time his guests step out of the car, their pastries are reserved, still warm, and waiting. No queues. No disappointment. No sold-out signs. “The best part,” An says with a grin, “is watching their faces light up after the first bite. Some people actually moan. That’s when I know I’ve done my job.” Seoul, he insists, may have the best of everything — except bread. “For bread,” he says, “you come to Daejeon.” From Rice Bowl to Bread Basket Korea, once defined by rice, is quietly becoming a nation of flour. Per-capita rice consumption has nearly halved since the mid-1990s. Flour intake, meanwhile, continues to rise. Bakeries now dot every neighborhood. Social media overflows with pastry reviews. New slang reflects the obsession: bbangsooni (bread lover) and bbang sunrye (bread pilgrimage). Koreans no longer travel across town for a croissant. They travel across provinces. And many head south — 160 kilometers from Seoul — to Daejeon. As of August 2025, the city had 663 registered bakeries, up steadily from 538 in 2020. While other major cities have seen stagnation or decline, Daejeon’s bakery scene has expanded every single year, evolving into a full-fledged industry and cultural identity. Bread here is not a trend. It is infrastructure. How Daejeon Became Bread Country The roots trace back to the postwar years. After the Korean War, wheat flour flowed through Daejeon Station, a major railway hub. Flour-based foods took hold naturally. Bakeries followed. Then came a turning point. In 1956, a small steamed bun shop opened near the station. It was called Sungsimdang. Its success proved that bread could sustain a livelihood in Daejeon. Others followed: award-winning bakers, artisan pioneers, experimental chefs. Slowly, Daejeon transformed from a city with one famous bakery into a city of many. The annual Daejeon Bread Festival, launched in 2021, reflects that maturity. Today, multiple bakeries compete for top honors. Some even outperform Sungsimdang. Still, Sungsimdang remains a symbol. On its 60th anniversary, it received a papal honor. As it approaches 70, it continues to receive messages from the Vatican. Few bakeries anywhere in the world enjoy such status. But An offers a warning. “If you think Sungsimdang is all there is,” he says, “you’re missing most of the story.” Why a Bread Taxi Exists “At Sungsimdang, lines can stretch 800 meters,” An says. “By the time people reach the counter, they’re exhausted. No bread tastes good when you’re tired and frustrated.” When he first launched his private tours, he followed the crowds. “I remember taking clients there and finding everything sold out,” he recalls. “Their faces just fell. That’s when I knew reservations were essential.” Today, every stop is pre-arranged. The concept is simple: a private bread tour by taxi, tailored for small groups, designed to maximize pleasure and minimize waiting. The city also runs public “Bread City” bus tours, but they involve 45-seat buses and long stops. An’s model is boutique: one to three hours, up to four guests, 30,000 won per hour. Privacy. Efficiency. Warm bread. “That’s the difference,” he says. Most of my customers are women,” An says. “Middle-aged friends. University students. Office workers on weekend trips.” Some talk about bread nonstop. “Sometimes for three hours,” he laughs. “I just listen.” He does not advertise. Business flows through direct messages. “One early passenger was a YouTuber,” he says. “After one video, everything changed. Within three months, six videos had passed one million views.” Now he is booked through June, often running two tours a day. Foreign inquiries are increasing. Inside the Bread Taxi On tour days, An arrives early at the meeting point — often Tanbang Station — holding two loaf-shaped dolls. Inside, the taxi is a miniature bakery museum: bread cushions, pastry ornaments, custom tables. “I tested more than eight folding tables from overseas,” he says. “Only one was good enough for eating bread comfortably.” He greets guests with a gift bag: knife, wipes, gloves, cutlery, booklets, and city guides. Spreads — salted butter, cream cheese, balsamic oil — are always stocked. “I want every detail perfect,” he says. He refuses exclusive contracts with bakeries. “I don’t want anyone influencing my route,” he says. “Ads only help me keep prices stable.” A Ruthless Curator An’s standards are strict. “First, the bread must be good. Second, affordable. Third, good service,” he says. “If ingredients change, I notice immediately.” When standards slip, bakeries are dropped. “If quality wavers, the experience wavers.” He is currently reviewing six new shops. From more than 30 vetted bakeries, he designs each route. Many guests choose what he calls “bread omakase” — complete trust in the driver. “Most young women ask for that,” he says. “They just tell me what styles they like and leave the rest to me.” Inspiration from Japan The idea began abroad. “Fifteen years ago, I saw udon taxis in Japan,” An recalls. “I thought, ‘Why not do this in Korea?’” Plans were delayed after his business partner passed away. Years later, the idea resurfaced — this time with bread. “That’s how the pilgrimage was born.” At the end of each tour, An presents a final gift: a “Bbangtican Pilgrimage Certificate,” stamped with date, route number, and his self-designed logo. It is half souvenir, half joke — and entirely cherished. Only recently, he says, has he understood what this work means. “I realized that my happiness is real only when it makes others happy — my family, my guests.” He plans to expand slowly. “Step by step,” he says. “After all, I’m just a simple man driving people to good bread.” In Daejeon, that is more than enough. 2026-02-06 16:18:51
  • Auto capacity looms over Korea–Germany race for Canadas $41bn submarine project
    Auto capacity looms over Korea–Germany race for Canada's $41bn submarine project SEOUL, February 06 (AJP) - Auto-sector capacity — and Ottawa’s efforts to shield its car industry from U.S. tariffs — is emerging as a decisive variable in the two-horse race between South Korea and Germany for Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), sources said after meetings this week with visiting Canadian officials. “Both South Korea and Germany are automotive manufacturing nations,” said Stephen Fuhr, Canada’s special envoy for defense procurement, during tours of Korean defense manufacturers and talks with senior officials. “If there are areas where we can cooperate in sectors like automobiles, we are looking to pursue broader partnerships that go beyond defense,” he said. Fuhr made the point explicit after touring the Jang Yeong-sil, a KSS-III submarine undergoing sea trials, reiterating that the decisive criterion in selecting a CPSP contractor would be which country delivers the greatest industrial benefits to Canada. Auto crisis sharpens offset calculations The message comes as the government of Mark Carney moves to stabilize Canada’s auto sector amid U.S. tariffs and uncertainty over the review of the USMCA trade pact this year. U.S. President Donald Trump last year imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canadian vehicles and parts, a shock to an industry that exports about 90 percent of its output to the U.S. Since then, thousands of workers have been laid off as major automakers, including General Motors and Stellantis, scaled back production. Carney’s government has responded with financial incentives for manufacturers, tariff credits tied to domestic production and the reintroduction of EV buyer rebates, as Ottawa seeks to diversify industrial partnerships beyond the U.S. Against that backdrop, officials say submarine bids are being judged not only on military performance but also on their potential to reinforce supply chains, investment and employment. Two platforms, one industrial test From a technical standpoint, South Korea’s proposed KSS-III Batch-II, developed by Hanwha Ocean, is widely assessed as more heavily armed and mature than Germany’s Type 212CD offered by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). The KSS-III displaces about 3,000 tons and is equipped with 10 vertical launch system cells for long-range precision strikes. It has already entered service with the Republic of Korea Navy, allowing Fuhr to physically tour the submarine during ongoing sea trials. By contrast, the Type 212CD remains at the design and construction stage, with the first vessels for Germany and Norway not scheduled for delivery until 2029 and the early 2030s. The German submarine, displacing around 2,500 tons, uses hydrogen fuel-cell air-independent propulsion optimized for cold and Arctic waters but lacks vertical launch capability. Canadian officials, however, say platform performance accounts for only a fraction of the final evaluation, with fleet sustainability and economic return carrying the greatest weight. That assessment has been reinforced by Fuhr, who has stressed that CPSP is a strategic industrial decision as much as a naval acquisition. Germany’s VW anchor vs. Korea’s constraints Germany enters the race with a notable advantage through Volkswagen’s multi-billion-dollar battery and EV investment in Canada, which Berlin has aligned with its defence bid to underline long-term industrial integration. The Korean side has also emphasized high-level economic diplomacy. Team Korea, led by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, included Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun in recent outreach to Ottawa. But analysts note that Hyundai Motor Group faces structural constraints. With a large EV complex already operating in Georgia, the commercial case for building a full-scale plant in Canada remains uncertain. Seoul has instead promoted broader industrial cooperation, including recent bilateral arrangements aimed at encouraging Korean automotive and future-mobility investment in Canada. Wider defense partnership pitch Kang met on Friday with Fuhr in just over a week at the Cheong Wa Dae in line with President Lee Jae Myung’s directive to accord special diplomatic courtesy to visiting Canadian officials. “Many people are hoping for a positive result from this project, and we are well aware of those expectations,” Kang wrote in a Facebook post after the talks. “However, this is by no means an easy situation.” “Although the circumstances are difficult, the government and companies will work together as one team and do their utmost until the very end,” he added. South Korea is also positioning its submarine proposal within a broader defense-industrial partnership as Canada accelerates army modernization and seeks domestic manufacturing capacity. Hanwha Aerospace has highlighted its willingness to invest locally, citing its armored vehicle production hub in Australia as a model for a Canadian facility that could generate jobs and support technology transfer. Germany, meanwhile, has expanded its offer to include joint research and workforce development, seeking to appeal to Ottawa through advanced R&D cooperation as well as platform delivery. With final bids due by March 2, both camps are now treating auto-sector cooperation as a core offset battleground — one shaped increasingly by Canada’s industrial vulnerability under U.S. trade pressure. “The key question,” Fuhr said during his visit to Hanwha’s Geoje shipyard, “is who can offer the best economic opportunity for Canada.” Background: Canada’s submarine replacement drive Canada’s CPSP aims to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging Victoria-class fleet, which is scheduled for decommissioning in the mid-2030s. In July 2024, Ottawa announced plans to procure up to 12 conventionally powered, under-ice capable submarines, followed by a request for information in September that year. The government expects to award a contract by 2028, with the first new vessel delivered no later than 2035. The program is closely linked to Canada’s updated defense strategy, which prioritizes Arctic security as climate change makes northern waters more accessible to external powers, including Russia and China. Germany and Norway are jointly building six Type 212CD submarines, with deliveries beginning in 2029. South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries have formed a “One Team” partnership to offer the KSS-III, with the first four units proposed for delivery by 2035. Korea has also pitched lithium-ion battery propulsion, extended underwater endurance and comprehensive crew training and maintenance facilities on both Canadian coasts. Beyond capability, Ottawa is seeking a partner with robust global supply chains to avoid a repeat of the Victoria-class’s “orphan fleet” problem, which has complicated maintenance and parts procurement for decades. 2026-02-06 16:09:54