SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly visited Hanwha Ocean’s shipyard in Geoje on Monday, underscoring Ottawa’s deepening evaluation of Hanwha’s bid in Canada’s 60-trillion-won submarine procurement project.
Joly’s trip follows a visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Oct. 30. Although she had originally planned to accompany him, Joly was unable to due to scheduling conflicts, the company said.
At the Geoje facility, Hanwha Ocean executives — including CEO Kim Hee-chul — gave Joly a tour of two of its advanced vessels: the newly launched Jang Yeong-sil and Jang Bogo-III Batch II submarines. The visit is seen as a signal that Canada is not only assessing military capability but also weighing broader industrial and economic cooperation.
The Canadian industry ministry plays a pivotal role in shaping strategy around industrial policy, supply chains, and the country’s economic security under the Carney government. The submarine procurement project, originally conceived as a defense acquisition, has evolved into a strategic industrial policy initiative.
Hanwha Ocean described Joly’s visit as signifying “a deeper evaluation of the project's industrial, technological, and economic feasibility,” distinct from the more symbolic nature of the prime minister’s earlier visit.
During Carney’s trip, Hanwha representatives pitched a wide-ranging offer to Canada, covering not just submarines but potential cooperation in defense, space, sustainable energy, and critical minerals.
CEO Kim said Joly’s visit “marks the project's transition into a truly competitive phase,” and pledged that Hanwha Ocean would deliver “optimal solutions for the Canadian Navy while acting as a reliable partner for Canada’s industrial growth.”
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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