INTERNATIONAL TRADE & GEOPOLITICS FORUM 2026
FROM PARTNERSHIP TO POWERHOUSE

Canada-Korea in Defence, Technology, and Trade

DATE & TIME
Friday, May 29, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
VENUE
Cassels
Learn more

The Canada Korea Business Council (CKBC) is Canada’s business, export trade and investment attraction facilitator, catalyst and advocate on Korea. It is a private, non-profit, business association funded by membership fees, sponsorships and consulting fees. 

We Provide

our members and clients with the strategic insight, network access and influence required to:

Successfully initiate business development in Korea
Secure Korean investments in Canada
Support the further development of existing Canadian operations in Korea
Promote joint projects on innovation and R&D initiatives
Advocate Canadian business interests in Korea
The Focus Is on Practical Services
A Diverse Network of Industry Leaders
The CKBC members includes some of the best-known Canadian firms, as well as small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), financial institutions, law firms, accounting firms, consulting firms and business/trade organizations. CKBC members represent a wide range of industrial sectors, including financial & professional services, aerospace, automotive, mining, oil and gas, forestry, defence, clean technologies, ICT, agriculture, seafood, processed food, media production, ocean technology, life science and education.
Strategic Partnerships that Drive Real Impact
The CKBC partners with various industry organizations to maximize synergy, minimize duplication and coordinate concerted actions to deliver the results. The CKBC fills the gap in the actions required to boost “Made-in Canada” brand ranking and assist Canadian companies to prosper in the Korean market.
Leading Canada–Korea Economic Diplomacy
The CKBC leads the “economic diplomacy” by coordinating concerted high-level trade missions with federal and provincial political leaders, corporate executives and leaders in international trade and investments. The CKBC also builds stronger trust and friendship between Canada’s and Korea’s business and political leaders through food, sports, arts, music and culture.

The CKBC’s operation is funded by membership fees, corporate sponsorships and consulting fees. We are always looking for your support and contribution.

Our Mission is to help Canadian exporters compete and win in Korean market by leveraging our leadership, expertise, connections, and the strengths of our membership.

Our Team

Sonny Cho

President & CEO

Kevin J. Lee

Executive Vice President

Jinny Lim

Director, Public Relations – Korea

Carolina Jung

Director, Communications

Soobin Sung

Director, Public Relations

Phillip Lee

Marketing Director

Jarine Kim

Director, Research

Allison Choi

Director, Public Relations – Canada

Advisory Council

Jae Chong

Senior Advisor

Sang Kim

Vice President, Business Development

Brian (Bong Soo) Kim

Chair, Advisory Council President, GWP Group Former President, Sammi Atlas Steel

Rod Elliot

Senior Vice President,
Global Public Affairs

Robert Lane

Vice Chair, Invest Toronto
and President, Signum Wireless

Chi-Guhn Lee

Assoc. Professor, U. of Toronto
Ind. Engineering

Gook-Ho Lee

Former Advisor, Capstone Mining
& Korea Resource Corporation

Joon Chung

Assoc. Professor, Ryerson
University Aerospace Engineering

John D. Tennant

Managing Partner,
W2N2 Partnership

Ray Simonson

CEO,
GloveSys

Chris Salapoutis

President & COO,
Greybrook Realty Partners

Jong You

Professor Emeritus (Economics),
Algoma University

Wayne Kim

CEO,
Andorix

Esther Sohn

Counsel,
Boughton LLP

Ray Simonson

Former EVP,
Samsung E&C

Henry Kim

CEO,
Aju Energy

TJ Kang

CEO, Insignary & former SVP,
Samsung & KT

Subrata Bhattacharjee

Partner,
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP