The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, welcomed their Republic of Korea counterparts to Ottawa for the second Foreign and Defence 2+2 Ministerial Meeting.
The ministers met with the Republic of Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Minister of National Defence Ahn Gyuback to advance shared foreign policy and defence priorities while committing to strengthen cooperation and reinforce their strategic partnership in a rapidly changing global environment.
As announced in the Canada - Republic of Korea joint statement, both countries agreed to update the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan and further strengthen security and defence cooperation. This commitment builds on the launch of the Canada-Korea Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership (SDCP), announced by Prime Minister Carney and President Lee Jae Myung in October 2025.
The joint statement outlines the creation of an SDCP Action Plan, setting out an ambitious series of initiatives to enhanced defence cooperation, deepen defence industrial ties, and contribute meaningfully to regional and global stability.
During the visit, Minister Anand and Foreign Minister Cho signed the Agreement on the Protection of Military and Defence Classified Information between Canada and the Republic of Korea, marking a pivotal milestone in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
This agreement will deepen defence and security cooperation by providing a secure and trusted framework for the exchange and protection of classified information and enable our respective defence industries to work more closely together.
Minister McGuinty and Minister Gyuback also announced the initiation of measures to commence negotiations on a Defence Cooperation Agreement, including a legal framework to improve interoperability, and to facilitate cooperative activities between both countries. The Republic of Korea is one of Canada's most important strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific and advancing this agreement reflects the strength of our relationship.
The ministers also discussed security in the Indo-Pacific including actions by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that violate UN Security Council Resolutions, as well as unlawful military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK.
The ministers highlighted the need for cooperation to counter cyber and foreign interference threats. Canada and the Republic of Korea confirmed that the first Canada-Korea Cyber Policy Consultations will take place in March 2026 to deepen cyber cooperation between the two countries.
The ministers agreed to establish a formal Canada-Korea Space Security Dialogue. They acknowledged, that as the space domain is becoming increasingly contested, Canada and the Republic of Korea are well positioned to leverage their respective strengths to accelerate development and enhance collective security.
The Foreign and Defence 2+2 Ministerial Meeting has become an important forum for both countries to discuss responses to global and regional challenges and to advance a shared vision for stability and prosperity, building on more than 60 years of close collaboration and friendship. The ministers reiterated their commitment to hold the 2+2 Ministerial Meeting every two years, with the next meeting to be held in the Republic of Korea in 2028.
