- The first Global Korea Innovation Center held in Silicon Valley on December 12
- Strengthening global networks through interaction and cooperation among G-KICs
- Focusing on local network expansion to attract and recruit top overseas researchers
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon of Science and ICT) announced its host of the first ever Global Korea Innovation Center (G-KIC) Conference on December 12 (local time) in Silicon Valley, San Francisco. The event aimed to enhance international S&T cooperation networks centered on G-KIC, which serves as a strategic hub for global R&D cooperation.
G-KIC, a brand new entity responsible for managing the MSIT’s global centers, was launched in January 2025. These centers are located in major hubs―including the U.S., China, Vietnam, and Belgium―to identify use-inspired international joint research, support global market entry of start-up companies and SMEs, and facilitate research talent exchange. Leveraging these local networks, G-KIC has become a pivotal center for international cooperation.
The MSIT stated that the conference’s objective is to respond to the demand for international cooperation with a well-organized system and strategy. This is achieved by strengthening connections between global centers and promoting regional cooperation. This conference holds significant meaning as a platform for sharing know-how and enhancing collective knowledge and capabilities on international cooperation.
Starting with this U.S. event, the G-KIC Conference will be held annually at major hubs, with themes reflecting the characteristics of each region. This year’s theme, led by KIC Silicon Valley, is “The Invitation: Korea Awaits Your Brilliance.” Silicon Valley is a vital area for international cooperation, leading advanced technologies including AI, semiconductors, and bio-science, and serves as an epic center for world-class scholars and researchers working at big tech headquarters and elite universities.
As securing research talent has become essential for national competitiveness, a main objective of this event―under the slogan of “Korea: A More Attractive Destination“―was to solidify collaborative foundations with overseas universities and companies that houses top-tier talents.
Particularly, government ministries and major domestic companies will join the event to ▲ introduce talent attraction programs and job opportunities, ▲ hold one on one consultations, and ▲ conduct programs leading to research cooperation and employment. Furthermore, participants expressing a desire to return to Korea can receive support from ministries and domestic companies through their respective overseas talent attraction programs.
Kang Sang-wook, Deputy Minister of the Planning and Coordination Office at the MSIT, stated “Amid the trend of fragmentation in international S&T cooperation driven by technological hegemony, the role of overseas centers as a strategic hub has become crucial. We will provide sophisticated support to ensure these centers to operate seamlessly as key hubs for international S&T cooperation.”
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF.