Global issues

1. Overview and Background Recent concerns have emerged regarding potential trade frictions between South Korea and the United States over South Korea's digital regulations. The U.S. government and Congress have expressed concerns that certain Korean digital policies, including online platform regulations and restrictions related to location data, could place American companies at a competitive disadvantage. In contrast, the South Korean government maintains that these measur

Image Credit: Gemini Some critics in the United States question whether South Korea truly needs nuclear-powered submarines, arguing that conventional submarines and unmanned systems may offer a more affordable and practical alternative. Any program with such a large price tag and technical complexity deserves rigorous scrutiny. But focusing too narrowly on cost and platform alternatives overlooks two overlapping challenges facing the United States: rapidly expanding undersea

The recent Globe and Mail report highlighting Canada's search for new submarine maintenance facilities reveals an important reality: Canada's future submarine program is no longer simply a competition over platforms. The greater challenge lies in sustaining those submarines over decades while facing a severe shortage of skilled labour. Canada's marine industry is already experiencing significant workforce constraints. Shipyards on both coasts are competing for a limited pool

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada As the Canadian government moves forward with plans to build a new submarine maintenance facility in the Halifax region, the discussion surrounding the country's next-generation submarine program is expanding beyond the acquisition of vessels themselves to the broader issue of industrial capacity. The facility, expected to operate under a Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated (GOCO) model, is likely to become a critical piece of infrastructure sup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be another significant milestone in the history of Korean football. Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will be played in some of the most advanced sporting venues in the world. Modern stadiums, cutting-edge technology, extensive transportation networks, and world-class facilities will provide an ideal environment for both players and fans. As football returns to North America on its grandest stage, South

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

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—

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