(Ottawa) Amid heightened geopolitical tensions and a series of cyberattacks, the first milestone in a military intelligence-sharing pact between Canada and South Korea will be laid in Seoul. The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, will announce during her visit to Asia the start of talks towards an agreement along these lines.
About six months after taking the same step in Japan, the head of Canadian diplomacy will do it again, this time with South Korea – gestures that are part of its Indo-Pacific strategy. Accompanied by his vis-à-vis, Park Jin, Mme Joly will kick off negotiations to conclude an information security pact.
PHOTO KIM HONG-JI, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin
“This type of agreement makes it possible to increase the level of cooperation in defense matters in addition to giving Canadian companies access to the information necessary to respond to certain calls for tenders in foreign countries”, explained to The Press a government source who requested anonymity, not being authorized to speak about this announcement publicly.
It also means that the Canadian government would have “the necessary tools to advance security cooperation” between the two nations, which is essential “as global security and international rules face significant challenges”, added this same source.
In addition to being part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, along with the United States, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, Canada has information-sharing agreements with allies in the NATO. If it materializes, the one with South Korea would be added to it.
It would also reinforce the footprint that Ottawa wishes to have in the region.
Equipment deployed in Japan
Last week, in fact, a C-140 Aurora aircraft from the Royal Canadian Air Force was deployed to Japan to support the implementation of the sanctions imposed against the other Korea, North Korea. The device must detect circumvention of maritime sanctions.
After her visit to South Korea, Minister Joly will set her sights on Japan for the meeting of G7 foreign ministers, which promises to be busy. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is expected to be a major talking point amid fears of a spring offensive from Moscow.
South Korea is Canada’s seventh-largest trading partner, seventh-largest merchandise export market and sixth-largest source of merchandise imports, according to the Canadian government.