Gapyeong: Partnership between South Korea and Canada, forged on battlefields of the 1950-53 Korean War, has endured for decades and is growing even "stronger" amid deepening military cooperation, the commander of the Canadian Army has said.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lt. Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, made these remarks during his visit to South Korea. He attended a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of a key Korean War battle in the northern county of Gapyeong. The battle involved some 2,000 troops of the 27th Commonwealth Brigade, comprising soldiers from Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, who engaged in fierce combat against Chinese forces in April 1951.
Lt. Gen. Wright emphasized the enduring partnership that began during the Korean War. "For Canada, it's a reaffirmation of our partnership that started on the battlefields in Korea in 1950 and endures to this day and, if anything, is getting stronger," he stated. He highlighted that the shared history between the two nations is a strong indicator of future cooperation.
Ahead of the anniversary, troops from the Canadian Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, an army unit with historical ties to the battle in Gapyeong, arrived in South Korea. They participated in their first high-tech military drills with the South Korean Army, marking a significant step in military collaboration.
During the Korean War, over 26,000 Canadians served, with 516 killed and approximately 1,200 wounded, as reported by the U.N. Command (UNC). This history has paved the way for ongoing defense cooperation. Last year, South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to deepen their strategic partnership in defense and security during summit talks in Gyeongju.
Wright also discussed Canada's plans to modernize its army and ongoing discussions with South Korea's defense industry. "The Canadian Army is in the midst of our largest modernization of equipment in over 25 years," he noted, mentioning potential cooperation areas like the K9 howitzers and Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
Hanhwa Aerospace has proposed a comprehensive solution that includes K9 self-propelled howitzers, Chunmoo multiple launch rocket systems, and Redback infantry fighting vehicles as part of Canada's modernization project. This aligns with Canada's strategy to invest in next-generation capabilities and enhance its land forces' sustainment capabilities.
Lt. Gen. Wright expressed optimism about the future of military cooperation between the two countries. He highlighted recent leadership and ministerial-level visits as indicators of their commitment to working together, especially in what he described as a "fractured world."