▲ This photo, provided by the Navy on May 4, 2026, shows ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho, which docked at a port in Hawaii to take part in joint drills with Canada in June. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Navy chief-Canada trip

Navy chief to depart for Canada this week amid major Canadian submarine bid

SEOUL, May 20 (Yonhap) -- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul is set to leave for Canada this week to strengthen arms cooperation between the navies of the two nations, the Navy said Wednesday, as South Korea ramps up its last-minute push to win a major Canadian submarine bid.

During his trip scheduled from Thursday to May 29, Kim plans to meet with Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, the nominee for Canada's vice chief of defense staff, to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the military and arms sector.

Kim's visit comes as Seoul has been vying with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to clinch a major Canadian submarine procurement project, valued at around 60 trillion won (US$41 billion), to supply up to 12 submarines to Ottawa. The final contractor is expected to be chosen in June.

During his visit, the Navy chief will also hold talks with Rear Adm. Dan Charlebois, the nominee for the commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, as well as Rear Adm. David Patchell, commander of Maritime Forces Pacific.

Kim plans to attend a ceremony marking the arrival of the ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho naval submarine in Victoria, western Canada. The submarine departed from a naval base in Jinhae, some 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on March 25.

The voyage marked the first trans-Pacific deployment and the longest distance ever traveled for a South Korean submarine.

The 3,000-ton submarine is scheduled to participate in joint drills with the Canadian Navy, as well as take part in the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) in June before returning home.

Meanwhile, the Navy chief is also set to attend Canada's leading defense and security exhibition in Ottawa on May 27-28, where he is expected to meet key Canadian officials and promote South Korean defense products.

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