- Strengthening cooperation in AI and next-generation communications
- Participation by AI companies and venture capital firms from both countries to advance private-sector collaboration
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, hosted the 2nd Korea-UK Digital Partnership Forum on December 16 at the Nurikkum Square in Seoul.
Following the Korean President’s state visit to the UK in November 2023, the Korea-UK Digital Partnership Forum serves a vice-ministerial consultative platform jointly established by MSIT and the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The forum serves as a framework for discussing bilateral cooperation in the digital sector and facilitating exchanges between businesses in both countries. The forum was co-chaired by Ryu Je-myung, Vice Minister of Science and ICT of Korea, and Kanishka Narayan, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for AI and Online Safety at DSIT, reaffirming the shared recognition of the importance of close digital cooperation between Korea and the UK.
During the vice-ministerial bilateral meeting, the two sides exchanged views on key policy priorities, including artificial intelligence, and reviewed progress made since the inaugural forum. They held in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation in AI and next-generation communications, focusing on collaboration between AI safety institutes and the promotion of joint research initiatives in next-generation communications technologies.
Following the bilateral talks, a working-level policy workshop was convened to advance practical cooperation in AI and next-generation communications. Participants shared policy approaches to AI safety and infrastructure, exchanged the latest research findings on AI risks and discussed potential collaboration on developing assessment frameworks for high-risk AI scenarios. In the field of next-generation communications, both sides shared updates on 6G research and development and related industrial policies and agreed to strengthen policy coordination to foster ecosystems for AI-RAN and 6G technologies, thereby further reinforcing the Korea-UK technological alliance in 6G communications.
In addition to intergovernmental cooperation, the forum also served as a platform for business-to-business engagement. Ten AI companies from both countries participated in networking sessions to explore concrete partnership opportunities, while venture capital firms from Korea and the UK joined the forum, providing Korean companies with opportunities to engage with UK investors.
[ Participating Companies and Venture Capital Firms (Corporate Program)]
| ROK |
Companies (5) |
AIWORKX, NORMA, SAKAK, AETECH, ZKRYPTO |
| Venture Capital Firms (2) |
The Ventures, Samsung Ventures |
| UK |
Companies (5) |
PhysicsX Limited, Monolith AI, Secondmind, Abound, Cusp AI Limited |
| Venture Capital Firms (4) |
Deeptech Labs, BlankPage Capital, Epidarex Capital, Serendipity Capital |
Vice Minister Je-myung Ryu stated, “This forum reaffirmed the strong commitment to cooperation shared by both countries.” He added, “Building on our close digital collaboration, Korea and the UK will work together to lead the AI era and create future value as global digital leaders.”
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.