The UK and the Republic of Korea have signed a series of science and tech deals, including commitments on AI, semiconductors, and space. The agreements were signed by UK Secretary of State Michelle Donelan, Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu, and Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong Ho. The deals include a £4.5 million fund for joint research and innovation partnerships. The two countries will co-host the next AI Safety Summit. The agreements also include a new Framework for Semiconductor Cooperation, a Digital Partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding on space cooperation, and a dialogue on quantum.
UK and Republic of Korea Strengthen Science and Tech Partnership
The United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea are set to enhance their partnership in science and technology. This development is part of a new Accord between the two countries, which will be signed by Secretary of State Michelle Donelan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu, and Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong Ho. The Accord is being announced during President Yoon Suk Yeol’s State Visit to the UK. Both countries, recognised for their innovative economies, aim to utilise critical technologies such as AI, quantum and semiconductors to stimulate job creation and economic growth.
The partnership will also see the establishment of a new £4.5 million fund to foster joint research and innovation partnerships. This initiative builds on the recent international progress on safe, responsible AI development achieved at the AI Safety Summit, which will be co-hosted by the Republic of Korea and the UK next year.
New Commitments in Space, Digital Tech, and Science
The Accord includes new commitments to collaborate in space and digital technology, as well as a comprehensive agreement on science and technology. These collaborations are expected to open up new opportunities for trade, innovation and investment in both countries, contributing to economic growth.
The UK and the Republic of Korea share a close relationship, and the Accord also deepens ties on defence, trade and investment. The signing of the sci-tech deals will be attended by President Yoon, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Science and Tech Secretary, and will be followed by presentations from leading science and tech project teams from both countries.
Accelerating Cooperation on AI and Semiconductors
The bilateral Accord includes a commitment to accelerate cooperation on the development of safe, responsible AI, building on the commitments made at the world-first AI Safety Summit. A new Framework for Semiconductor Cooperation will also be established to enhance collaboration on skills, R&D, supply chain resilience and trade, and deepen industry links.
The Accord also includes a broad new Digital Partnership, boosting joint work in priority areas such as data, telecoms, AI and digital competition. A new Memorandum of Understanding on space cooperation will bring the space industries of both countries closer together and pave the way for joint space endeavours.
Investment in Research and Innovation
The Royal Society and the National Research Foundation of Korea are investing up to £4.5 million into the new UK- ROK International Collaboration Awards. This initiative aims to support emerging UK and Korean research leaders in developing collaborative partnerships. Innovate UK will also invest over £8 million from the next financial year into innovation programmes with the Republic of Korea, driving the development and commercialization of critical technologies, including semiconductors for the first time.
Strengthening Ties in Engineering Biology
The Accord includes a commitment to closer cooperation on engineering biology. This will be bolstered by the establishment of a joint synthetic biology research centre, shared by SynbiCITE, the UK’s Innovation and Knowledge Centre for synthetic biology, and its South Korean equivalent the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), supported by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea’s leading science and technology university.
An agreement between the Milner Therapeutics Institute (MTI) at the University of Cambridge and KRIBB is also being announced. This agreement paves the way for Cambridge to host KRIBB’s first European outpost, demonstrating the strength of UK engineering biology and life sciences. It brings together experts in cell and gene therapy, organoid screening and AI-enabled drug discovery, with joint projects eligible for funding from both countries.
Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “The Republic of Korea is a tech powerhouse, and a vital partner to the UK. We share the same values and face the same challenges: from creating future jobs and industries fit for the AI age, to bringing the power of science to bear on climate change and supporting ageing populations. As part of the new Accord between our two countries, this raft of agreements will future-proof our relationship for decades to come: a partnership that is already bearing fruit as we work closely together on the next AI Safety Summit.”
Quick Summary
The UK and the Republic of Korea have signed a series of science and technology agreements, aiming to harness the potential of technologies like AI, quantum and semiconductors to create jobs and stimulate economic growth. The agreements, which include a new £4.5 million fund for joint research and innovation partnerships, also cover collaboration in space, digital tech, and science and technology, with the aim of fostering trade, innovation and investment in both countries.
- The UK and the Republic of Korea have agreed on a series of science and technology deals, including commitments on AI, semiconductors, space, and more.
- The agreements were signed by Secretary of State Michelle Donelan, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu, and Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong Ho.
- The two countries will co-host the next AI Safety Summit and will work together to harness the potential of critical technologies like AI, quantum, and semiconductors to create jobs and unlock economic growth.
- A new £4.5 million fund will be created to boost research links between the two countries.
- The agreements also include commitments to collaborate in space and on digital tech, and a new Memorandum of Understanding on space cooperation.
- The Royal Society and the National Research Foundation of Korea are investing up to £4.5 million into the new UK- ROK International Collaboration Awards for emerging UK and Korean research leaders.
- Innovate UK will also invest over £8 million into innovation programmes with the Republic of Korea.
- A new Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Innovate UK and the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology to unlock closer collaboration in key areas such as semiconductors.
- A joint synthetic biology research centre will be established by SynbiCITE, hosted at Imperial College London, and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, supported by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
- An agreement was also announced between the Milner Therapeutics Institute at the University of Cambridge and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology.