Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Kim Kyung-ryul, right, poses with President Lee Jae Myung at the Ministry of National Defense in Seoul, March 27. 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 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 China'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 ($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.
