Global Affairs Lab

Reference Image | U.S. Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine Illinois under construction at Groton Shipyard, Connecticut (2015). Source: AP. The recent agreement between South Korea and the United States to accelerate follow-up negotiations on nuclear-powered submarines and nuclear energy cooperation represents far more than a routine diplomatic development. The emphasis on producing tangible results quickly suggests that both governments recognize the growing urgency of t

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik’s recent visit to Canada carries significance far beyond a routine diplomatic schedule. This is because Canada’s next-generation submarine project—a massive undertaking valued at up to 60 trillion KRW—presents a crucial opportunity for South Korea’s defense industry to once again prove its competitiveness on the global stage. Driven by fast delivery times, cost competitiveness, and superior technology, South Korean defense companies h

The launch of South Korea–U.S. consultations on nuclear-powered submarines and expanded nuclear cooperation reflects growing efforts by both countries to strengthen maritime security and long-term strategic coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. As maritime trade routes become increasingly important and regional naval capabilities continue to evolve, Seoul has sought to enhance its ability to conduct extended underwater operations while improving its overall defense readine

Canada’s Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) has emerged as one of the most closely watched defense procurement programs in the world. Valued at up to KRW 60 trillion, the project aims to replace the aging Victoria-class submarine fleet and strengthen Canada’s maritime security capabilities. With the world’s longest coastline and growing strategic challenges in the Arctic—including increased Russian activity, Chinese interest in the region, and evolving NATO commitments—

[Photo] Global Citizen (Global Citizen)

South Korea has officially unveiled its roadmap for developing the country’s first nuclear-powered submarine, marking the beginning of a long-term national project that combines maritime security, advanced industry, and strategic infrastructure. The government aims to launch its first nuclear-powered submarine in the mid-2030s, followed by operational deployment later in the decade. The project, named the “Jangbogo-N Project,” is being described as more than a simple naval sh

May 27, 2026 At a Crossroads: Canada's Maritime Security and the Future of Its Undersea Fleet A Strategic Assessment of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP) and South Korea's KSS-III Platform 1. Executive Summary Based on recent analysis by the Global Affairs Lab, this report evaluates the trajectory of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), a multibillion-dollar acquisition crucial to Ottawa's national defense. Plagued by chronic availability issues with its a

Hanwha Ocean is drawing attention as a leading contender in Canada's Canadian Patrol Submarine Project (CPSP), a major initiative to replace the aging Victoria-class submarines. The program, which could involve up to 12 submarines, is considered one of the largest naval modernization efforts in Canadian history. The company is offering the KSS-III (Dosan Ahn Chang-ho-class) submarine, a platform already in active service with the Republic of Korea Navy. By leveraging a proven

South Korea’s latest submarine, the ROKS Dosan Ahn Changho, has arrived at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in British Columbia, drawing attention as a leading candidate in Canada’s next-generation submarine acquisition program. The visit is viewed not only as a naval exchange, but also as a direct demonstration of South Korea’s submarine technology. The submarine recently completed a historic trans-Pacific deployment, traveling more than 15,000 kilometers over nearly two month

For decades, relations between South Korea and Japan were defined by history. Colonial rule, wartime atrocities, territorial disputes, and unresolved emotional resentment repeatedly shaped the political atmosphere between the two countries. That is why many people were surprised to see a progressive South Korean president and a conservative Japanese prime minister developing what appears to be genuine political chemistry. But the most important detail in this summit was not s

The FIFA World Cup has always been more than just a football tournament; it is a cultural mirror reflecting global unity. However, the release of "Goals" the latest single from the Official FIFA World Cup 2026™ Album marks a historic paradigm shift in how we define "global music." By uniting LISA, Anitta, and Rema, the track does not me rely cross borders; it completely erases them. As an American who has spent years admiring the precision of Korean pop culture alongside glob

1. Introduction 1.1 Digital Regulation as a New Strategic Issue For decades, the global digital economy expanded under a laissez-faire paradigm, assuming that minimal intervention would maximize technological progress. Today, however, that consensus has fractured. Driven by concerns over market dominance, data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and digital sovereignty, governments worldwide are aggressively redefining the boundary between innovation and regulation. Democratic

SEOUL, May 5 — Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan is visiting Canada and the United States to support South Korea’s efforts to secure a major overseas shipbuilding contract and to discuss bilateral investment cooperation. According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Kim will meet with Canadian government officials in Ottawa to discuss Canada's next-generation conventional submarine acquisition program. The project involves the construction of up to 12 submarines and

The era of unmanned fleets cutting through open seas is no longer a distant vision—it is unfolding now. Hanwha Defense USA has joined forces with U.S.-based maritime autonomy specialist Magnet Defense to launch the development of a Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV), marking a pivotal shift in Korea-U.S. defense cooperation. At National Harbor in Maryland on April 20 (local time), the two companies formalized a strategic partnership that goes beyond conventional collaborat

As military tensions between the United States and Iran intensify, a parallel conflict is unfolding across digital platforms. On X and other social media networks, a surge of manipulated images and fabricated videos is accompanying real-world violence. When Iran’s Shajareh Tayebeh Elementary School was reportedly struck, killing 168 civilians, falsified footage—some extracted from flight simulation games—circulated widely as “live combat evidence.” Elsewhere, archival footage

Wars rarely unfold the way military planners expect. In the opening stages of the recent conflict, the United States and Israel appeared to hold overwhelming superiority. Precision strikes eliminated key Iranian figures and targeted military infrastructure across the country. By conventional measures of power, the balance seemed clear. Yet the center of gravity of the conflict soon shifted—not to the skies over Iran, but to a narrow strip of water at the mouth of the Persian

The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has gradually transformed into one of the most technologically dynamic conflicts of the 21st century. In a recent announcement, Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces had captured a Russian defensive position using only drones and unmanned ground vehicles, without deploying infantry. If verified, the operation represents a significant inflection point in the evolution of modern warfare: the transfer of the most dangerous

Modern warfare is increasingly defined by the rapid spread of unmanned aerial systems. Once viewed primarily as surveillance tools, drones have evolved into versatile weapons capable of reconnaissance, precision strikes, and large-scale saturation attacks. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that relatively inexpensive unmanned systems can produce significant operational and strategic effects. One country that has refined this approach is Iran. Over the past decade, Tehran has