[Exploring Finland's Innovation Ecosystem]②Elina Baltonen, Minister for Foreign Affairs: "Technology Diplomacy More Important Than Ever... Korea Is a Key Partner"

6G, Quantum Computing, Space, and Defense
Five Years of Steady Cooperation with Korea
The Partnership Between the Two Countries Is Now Gaining Full Momentum

"Technology cooperation between Korea and Finland has significantly strengthened over the past five years. This is likely because both countries share a strong interest in technology and innovation, and have similarly minded societies."

Elina Baltonen, Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated this during an interview with reporters at the Helsinki Parliament House on the 22nd (local time), emphasizing that "technology diplomacy is more important than ever." Minister Baltonen's interest in Korea goes beyond mere diplomatic rhetoric. In the context of the U.S.-China competition for technological supremacy, Finland has adopted a 'technology alliance' as a survival strategy and has designated Korea as one of its core partners.

Minister Baltonen said, "Korea and Finland have signed joint cooperation agreements in a variety of fields, including 5G·6G, quantum computing, space, and defense. Korea is even mentioned in our government programs, and several ministers have visited Korea." In fact, after establishing a strategic partnership last year, the two countries have been expanding the scope of their cooperation to include semiconductors, clean energy, and digital sectors.

Last month, Minister Baltonen also dispatched Antti Vasara as a special envoy for technology to Korea. Special Envoy Vasara met with Vice Minister Koo Hyukjae of the Ministry of Science and ICT to discuss ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries in advanced science and technology. The fact that the Minister of Foreign Affairs personally sent a separate special envoy for technology to Korea demonstrates that the Finnish government regards Korea not merely as a friendly country, but as a front-line partner in 'technology diplomacy.'

Elina Valtonen, Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, is being interviewed by reporters at the Helsinki Parliament House on the 22nd (local time). Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Her actions in designating Korea as a key partner are also closely linked to her personal background. As a four-term parliamentarian, Minister Baltonen has a somewhat unique profile for a foreign minister, having previously worked as an expert in the technology and finance sectors before entering politics. She held director-level positions in the financial sector for ten years in places such as Copenhagen, Denmark, and London, UK. As a software developer and investor, Minister Baltonen was involved in founding several technology startups. She majored in computer science and financial economics at Aalto University and completed doctoral coursework in applied mathematics and systems analysis.

Having worked directly with technology, Minister Baltonen repeatedly stressed the importance of securing future competitiveness. She said, "Over 20 years ago, when it was not as popular as it is today, I was already training neural networks, showing my deep interest in technology." From a geopolitical perspective, she believes that strategic competitiveness is more important than strategic autonomy. Minister Baltonen stated, "To lay the groundwork for our citizens and secure long-term stability, we need sufficient innovation, leading technologies, and companies, but above all, we ourselves must lead in these technologies." She added, "European countries must make greater efforts." In Finland's vision for its next leap forward, Korea is an indispensable name. In an era where technology equates to national power, the partnership between the two countries has only just begun in earnest.

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