South Korea pitches attack submarines that match 'five-star hotels'

South Korea is aggressively promoting its advanced attack submarines, described as "five-star hotels," to Canada in a bid to secure a multi-billion-dollar contract to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s aging fleet. A high-level South Korean delegation, led by presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, emphasized the submarines’ design focus on safety and comfort, likening them to luxury accommodations to ensure crew well-being even in emergencies. The proposed deal involves about 12 diesel-powered submarines valued at over USD 12 billion and includes major South Korean industrial players such as Hanwha, HD Hyundai, and Hyundai Motor Group. The initiative aims not only to supply cutting-edge naval technology but also to deepen defense-industrial cooperation between South Korea and Canada. The South Korean pitch highlights broader strategic ambitions to enter Western and NATO defense markets, framing the submarine project as a catalyst for long-term industrial partnership, job creation, and enhanced Arctic and undersea surveillance capabilities along Canada’s extensive coastline. The proposal competes