Top diplomats of S. Korea, Canada vow to boost energy, defense, AI cooperation

Seoul, Oct. 7 (Yonhap) -- Foreign Ministers Cho Hyun of South Korea and Anita Anand of Canada pledged Wednesday to strengthen collaboration in defense, energy, artificial intelligence (AI) and other key sectors, according to the South Korean foreign ministry. During their telephone conversation, the two ministers decided to broaden practical cooperation in defense and the arms trade, based on the existing Security and Defense Cooperation Partnership.

This partnership was formed in October 2025 following a summit between their countries' leaders in Gyeongju, South Korea, and marked Canada's inaugural bilateral security alliance with an Indo-Pacific nation.

The ministers also agreed to explore cooperation in advanced technologies like AI during an upcoming joint committee on science and technology meeting in Seoul next month. Both parties committed to boosting cooperation to ensure reliable energy supplies and maintain ongoing bilateral and multilateral discussions on establishing critical mineral supply chains. South Korea has witnessed a surge in its imports of Canadian crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) recently, the ministry reported.

Cho Hyun requested the Canadian government to maintain its support for South Korean businesses operating in Canada to guarantee their seamless investment and commercial operations. These businesses are heavily investing in Canada's strategic industries, including batteries and advanced materials. The two ministers discussed major regional and global issues, including the Middle East situation, and agreed to continue working together to foster peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader region.