Joint Research on Semiconductors, Batteries, and Bio... Korea-US Expand Advanced Technology Alliance Scope

Annual Next-Generation Technology Dialogue Led by US-ROK NSC
Joint Research on Semiconductors, Batteries, Bio, etc.
Training 2,023 Advanced Technology Experts... $60 Million Investment

During his state visit to the United States, President Yoon Suk-yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed on the 26th (local time) at the Korea-U.S. summit to strengthen cooperation in advanced technology, cyber, and space sectors. While the 'Washington Declaration' laid the foundation for significantly enhanced extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threats, this cooperation in advanced technology and other fields is evaluated as a substantial expansion of the horizon from the traditional military-security alliance that has lasted 70 years between Korea and the U.S. to a future-oriented global comprehensive strategic alliance.

At the Korea-U.S. summit held at the White House on the same day, President Yoon and President Biden agreed to establish the 'Korea-U.S. Next-Generation Core and Emerging Technologies Dialogue' to strengthen cooperation in advanced technology fields between the two countries and issued the 'Joint Statement on the Launch of the Korea-U.S. Next-Generation Core and Emerging Technologies Dialogue.' The newly established dialogue, led by the National Security Councils (NSC) of both countries, aims to foster cooperation that creates synergy between science and technology and national security. The dialogue plans to expand exchanges and explore cooperation methods related to advanced technologies such as semiconductors, batteries, biotechnology, digital technology, energy technology, and quantum technology through joint research and development. The 'Next-Generation Core and Emerging Technologies Dialogue' will be held annually, with the first meeting scheduled for the second half of this year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The two countries agreed to actively utilize student, researcher, and industry exchange programs to nurture talent that will lead the future of next-generation and emerging technologies. Additionally, through the 'Kor-US Educational Exchange Initiative for Youth in STEM,' which encompasses human cooperation and exchange for future generations, both countries will invest a total of $60 million (approximately 80 billion KRW) to facilitate exchanges among 2,023 young people in STEM and humanities and social sciences fields in each country in 2023.

First, Korea and the U.S. plan to establish a Fulbright advanced field scholarship program worth $1.5 billion (201 billion KRW) to mutually nurture future talent in advanced fields, supporting master's, doctoral, and research programs in advanced fields in both countries. They will also promote a special exchange program for STEM university students who wish to work or conduct research in advanced industries and have a strong desire to study advanced technologies in depth. The Presidential Office stated, "The launch of this dialogue in the year marking the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance elevates the partnership in core and emerging technology fields to one of the key elements of the Korea-U.S. alliance," adding, "It is a clear example showing that the Korea-U.S. alliance is developing into a global comprehensive strategic alliance."

Discussions have also begun to expand the scope of the Korea-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty to all-encompassing areas such as cyber and space. First, they agreed to establish the 'Korea-U.S. Strategic Cybersecurity Cooperation Framework' to secure a 'cyber umbrella' comparable to the nuclear umbrella. The intention is to raise cyber information sharing between Korea and the U.S. to the level of the 'Five Eyes' intelligence-sharing network, which includes the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The framework includes cooperation between the two countries to develop and implement various response measures to block and deter malicious activities in cyberspace and to hold accountable countries involved in destructive and illegal activities in cyberspace.

In particular, the two countries plan to jointly address North Korea's illegal cyber activities and block its cyber-generated foreign currency earnings. Cyber training, research and development for protecting critical infrastructure, talent cultivation, real-time sharing of cyber threat information, and the establishment of public-private-academic cooperation networks will also be carried out. The two leaders emphasized, "We recognize the importance of continuing the depth and strength of the long-standing strategic alliance between Korea and the U.S. in cyberspace," and stated, "We will set strong and resilient cybersecurity as a national policy and strategic priority."

Expanding the alliance's scope to space, the two countries signed the 'Korea-U.S. Joint Statement on Space Exploration Cooperation' between the Ministry of Science and ICT and NASA the day before to strengthen commercial space cooperation. The two countries plan to utilize Korea's deep space antenna for NASA's deep space network construction in the mutually interested fields of space communication and navigation. It also includes scientific and technological research on the Moon, including the international outpost 'Gateway' in lunar orbit, which NASA is leading the development of. This is closely related to the 'Artemis Program,' the U.S.'s lunar exploration initiative resumed after more than 50 years.

Furthermore, as security expands into space in the future, the two countries plan to solidify cooperation in space security. In the joint statement on the same day, the two leaders welcomed the deepening of space security cooperation, including Korea's commitment to halt destructive direct-ascent anti-satellite missile tests, and stated, "The two sides will strengthen space situational awareness cooperation between the two countries in response to increasing space risks and threats, and strive to maintain a safe, stable, and sustainable space environment by further developing norms of responsible behavior."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.