[Exploring Finland's Innovation Ecosystem]②Minister for Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen: "Tech Diplomacy More Important Than Ever... Korea Is a Core Partner"

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

"Technological 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 Valtonen, Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with reporters at the Finnish Parliament in Helsinki on the 22nd (local time) and stated, "Tech diplomacy is more important than ever." Her interest in Korea goes beyond diplomatic rhetoric. In the midst of the U.S.-China tech supremacy race, Finland has chosen a 'technology alliance' as a survival strategy and identified Korea as one of its core partners.

Minister Valtonen said, "We have signed joint cooperation agreements with Korea in various fields such as 5G·6G, quantum computing, space, and defense," adding, "Korea is 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 their cooperation into semiconductors, clean energy, and digital sectors.

Last month, Minister Valtonen also dispatched Antti Vasara as 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 Foreign Minister personally sent a special envoy for technology to Korea demonstrates that the Finnish government regards Korea not merely as a friendly nation but as a frontline partner in 'tech diplomacy.'

Elina Baltonen, Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, is giving an interview to reporters at the Helsinki Parliament building on the 22nd (local time). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Her focus on Korea as a key partner is also linked to her personal background. Minister Valtonen, currently serving her fourth term as a member of parliament, has a rather unique career for a foreign minister. Before entering politics, she was an expert in technology and finance. She held director-level positions in the financial sector for 10 years in cities such as Copenhagen, Denmark, and London, United Kingdom. As a software developer and investor, Minister Valtonen was also involved in founding several tech startups. She majored in computer science and financial economics at Aalto University and completed doctoral studies in applied mathematics and systems analysis.

Having worked directly with technology, Minister Valtonen repeatedly emphasized the importance of securing future competitiveness. She said, "Even more than 20 years ago, when it wasn't as popular as it is now, I was already training neural networks, which shows just how interested I have always been in technology." Geopolitically, she believes that strategic competitiveness is more important than strategic autonomy. Minister Valtonen stated, "To lay the foundation for our citizens and ensure long-term stability, we need not only sufficient innovation, leading technologies, and companies, but above all, we must be at the forefront of these technologies ourselves," adding, "European countries must make even greater efforts." In Finland's vision for its next leap forward, Korea remains an essential name. In an era where technology is national power, the partnership between the two countries has now entered its full stride.

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