By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee

The Seoul government has decided to expand cooperation in science and technology, focusing on the European Union (EU) and Horizon Europe. Given that both countries are among the fastest-developing countries in the world to enact AI-related legislation, cooperation in the AI sector will be further strengthened.

First Vice Minister of Science and ICT Koo Hyuk-chae met with newly appointed EU Ambassador to Korea Hugo Astuto at the Science and Technology Advisory Council in Seoul on Oct. 31 to discuss cooperation in science, technology, and digital technologies between the two countries.

Vice Minister Koo and Ambassador Hugo Astuto shared details on research cooperation between the two countries, including the progress of the joint research project following Korea's entry into the Horizon Europe program as an Associate Member.

Furthermore, the two sides agreed to hold an annual "Korea-EU Research and Innovation Day" for information sharing and networking among the Korea-EU Joint Committee on Science and Technology, an intergovernmental consultative body, and domestic researchers, and to explore ways to expand cooperation in science and technology.

To address the recent international competition for hegemony, the two sides also agreed to expand digital cooperation. Notably, both countries were among the first in the world to enact AI-related legislation, including the European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) and the Framework Act on the Development of AI and the Creation of a Trust Foundation (AI Framework Act). As leaders in AI norms, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation.

Furthermore, the two sides agreed to discuss technological and institutional cooperation in various fields, including AI, semiconductors, and quantum technology, through the "Korea-EU Digital Partnership Council," the highest-level intergovernmental consultative body in the digital sector.

Vice Minister Koo stated, "Korea and the EU are key partners for innovation and sustainable growth, and comprehensive cooperation in science, technology, and digital technologies is essential. To this end, we will strengthen cooperation between our two countries."