President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a public-private joint review meeting on mega-projects held at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a public-private joint review meeting on mega-projects held at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae Myung said Tuesday that South Korea's failure to win Canada's next-generation submarine contract would serve as "a precious foundation for further advancing our technology and raising our competitiveness to an even higher level."

Lee made the remarks in a Facebook post titled "K-defense industry's bold challenge continues," noting that Wednesday marks Defense Industry Day — established to commemorate the date the turtle ship was first deployed in battle. "I extend my deepest gratitude and respect to all those who have grown South Korea's defense industry to a world-class level and elevated the status of K-defense," he said.

He said South Korea's defense industry "has established itself as a new growth engine drawing global attention and a core industry of national competitiveness," and said the achievement was "the fruit of the efforts of countless researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs and our service members who sweated together."

Lee said South Korean submarines "have competed proudly against the world's leading submarine powers, proving their superior performance and technological capability." While acknowledging the disappointing result in the Canadian bid, he said, "I believe we again clearly demonstrated our strength to the international community."

"Challenges bring both successes and setbacks," he said, and went on to say, "What matters is that we keep moving forward consistently without stopping."

Lee said he was "certain that today's experience will become a precious foundation for further advancing our technology and raising our competitiveness," adding that "South Korea will continue to challenge boldly."

He also pledged that the government would do everything in its power — through research and development support, export support and stronger international cooperation — "for the day when our submarines will safeguard peace and safety in the world's oceans."


moone@heraldcorp.com