Republic of Korea and United States to Strengthen Cooperation in Emerging Technologies such as AI and Quantum

The governments of the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United States (U.S.) are set to strengthen cooperation in emerging technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced that it will sign the 'Korea-U.S. Technology Prosperity Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)' on the 29th. This MOU is a result of the South Korea–United States summit held during the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) week and will be concluded between the two governments.
With the growing importance of key emerging technologies such as AI, quantum, and synthetic biology, the two countries are entering into this MOU to reinforce a comprehensive cooperation framework. The agreement aims to foster prosperity for future generations, improve the quality of life for both nations' citizens, and elevate the ROK-U.S. alliance. It includes commitments to 'accelerate AI applications and innovation' and to establish 'trusted technology leadership.'
The signing ceremony will be attended by Ha Jung-woo, Chief of AI Future Planning at the Presidential Office, and Michael Kratsios, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House.
In the first area of cooperation, 'Accelerating AI Applications and Innovation,' the two countries plan to leverage AI technology to advance various technological and industrial sectors. They will jointly develop an innovation-friendly AI Policy Framework and collaborate on the export of AI technologies across the entire AI Full Stack, fostering a joint AI ecosystem in Asia and beyond. Additionally, the two sides will work closely on the export of trustworthy AI technologies, the development of suitable datasets for AI applications, and the promotion of safe AI innovation.
The second area, 'Trusted Technology Leadership,' will see the two countries strengthen cooperation on implementation strategies for key technologies such as next-generation communication, pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chains, quantum innovation, and space exploration. Both sides also recognize the importance of research security in all areas of R&D for emerging technologies and will actively support basic research and personnel exchanges to reinforce the foundation of bilateral science and technology cooperation.
This MOU is expected to solidify the science and technology partnership between the ROK and the U.S. in economic, security, and industrial spheres. It will expand cooperation into a technology alliance covering basic research, strategic technologies, and research security, moving both countries a step closer to global leadership. The two sides have agreed to utilize the Korea-U.S. Joint Committee on Science and Technology as the practical implementation body for the MOU.
Following the signing, Ha Jung-woo and Michael Kratsios will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the implementation of the MOU. Based on these discussions, the Korea-U.S. Joint Committee on Science and Technology (headed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT and the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy) will be convened next year in Washington, D.C., where more concrete and advanced cooperation plans will be developed.
Ha Jung-woo stated, "This MOU will enable both countries to enhance technological sovereignty together, based on people-centered, inclusive AI and private sector-led innovation. In particular, cooperation between the ROK and the U.S. in AI R&D and AI Full Stack exports will serve as a springboard for Korea to become one of the world’s top three AI powers."
Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, emphasized, "As its title suggests, this MOU symbolizes cooperation for the prosperity of future generations in both countries. The ROK and the U.S. will further strengthen their solidarity for freedom and mutual growth through science and technology. With this MOU, the two governments pledge technological prosperity, and following previous MOUs with BlackRock and OpenAI on AI ecosystem cooperation, we expect even greater activation of science and technology exchanges and investment between the ROK and the U.S."
solidkjy@fnnews.com Gu Ja-yoon Reporter