The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister: Lim Hyesook) announced that it held the seventh meeting of the Republic of Korea (Korea) – European Union (EU) Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological (S&T) Cooperation in Seoul on February 14, under the co-chairmanship of Vice Minister of Science and ICT (MSIT), Republic of Korea, Mr. Yong Hongtaek, and Director-General of the Directorate General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission (EC), Mr. Jean-Eric Paquet.
The two parties shared the understanding of the importance of international cooperation in research and development on science and technology, and introduced key policies including ten core technologies to achieve carbon neutrality, the nation’s critical and emerging technologies, and international cooperation.
This was followed by the discussion on five priority areas for cooperation, which include information and communications technology, health and bio, climate change and emerging future technology, research hub, and human capital development.
On the front of ICT, the EU side presented Digital Partnership to Korea, sharing what it envisions of the Digital Partnership with Korea in terms of cooperation. The two parties also shared their opinions on the start of a working-level discussion for the resumption of Korea-EU ICT Joint R&D program in 2023.
As regards the health and bio sector, Korea introduced the Korea Bio Data Station (K-BDS), an integrated system to control bio materials and data, and a best practice case during the Covid-19. Meanwhile, the EU briefed on the European One Health Antimicrobial (OH AMR) Partnership to emphasize the importance of international cooperation in the global antibiotic resistance research.
In terms of climate change and emerging and future technology, acknowledging the importance of research on carbon neutrality and the need for cross-border cooperation, the both sides shared the understanding to continue its close cooperation.
Subsequently, both parties introduced the hubs of research cooperation between Korea and Europe, such as the KSIT-Europe, founded in 1996 to conduct environmental research in Saarbrücken, Germany and research cooperation between the EU’s Joint Research Centers (JRC) spanning from Italy to Spain.
Regarding human capital development, the EU offered the cooperation on human capital development with Korea via the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program. In return, Korea pledged to foster researchers and data exchanges through the Korea-EU Research Center (KERC) located in Brussel.
This event was held on the Research and Innovation Day where the European researchers provide consulting regarding the joint research to their Korean counterparts. At this meeting, Korea delivered its expectation to discuss on joining the Horizon Europe Program(2021-2027) as an associated country.
For further information, please contact Spokesperson for foreign media Kim Heehyun (E-mail: coro0131@korea.kr, 82-44-202-4027) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
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