ROK-UK Digital Partnership and MoU on space cooperation signed
Cooperation to be strengthened in 11 digital sectors, including telecommunication supply chain diversification, semiconductors, AI, etc.
Space cooperation in the fields of space exploration, space industry, policy and norms, etc., to be further enhanced.
To propel science and technology collaboration in a more integrated and systematic manner, intergovernmental deliberative bodies will be reestablished into one comprehensive agency.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter referred to as "MSIT") announced the signing of (1) Republic of Korea-United Kingdom Digital Partnership, (2) a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on space cooperation, and (3) a new Implementation Arrangement on Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement on November 22nd (Wed.) by Minister Lee Jong Ho and the United Kingdom Secretary of State Michelle Donelan for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (hereinafter referred to as "DSIT") on the occasion of President Yoon Suk Yeol's state visit to the United Kingdom.
[ROK-UK Digital Partnership]
At the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in June 2022, Korea and the UK had agreed upon the "ROK-UK Bilateral Framework," which included a plan to sign the "ROK-UK Digital Partnership" to harness the full potential of digital technology in a safe and effective way. Over the past year, the two countries convened a series of in-depth discussions on formulating specific cooperation measures in 11 prioritized fields in the digital sector, including telecommunication supply chain diversification, semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and global digital norms.
Future telecommunication and supply chain resilience
The UK has been seeking to diversify the communication network provider pool, through the announcement of "5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy" in November 2020 and "Open RAN Principles" in April 2022. Korea, on the other hand, announced "K-Network 2030 Strategy" in February this year, working toward the development of next-generation network technology and industrial advancement. In this light, the two countries formed a consensus on the need for fair competition and diversity in the telecommunication market, and agreed to (1) make improvements in security, resilience, interoperability of communication networks, (2) promote collaborations in wireless communication and open RAN research and development (R&D), and (3) enhance partnership between the industry and academia of both countries.
Semiconductors
Both countries recognize that semiconductors are a crucial factor for the development of digital technology, and agreed to integrate their respective strengths, namely, manufacture and processing capabilities for Korea, and design and intellectual property (IP) features for the UK. Under this recognition, R&D collaboration will be promoted in the fields of cutting-edge chip design, materials and compounds for semiconductors, and packaging technology. Also, exchanges between engineering experts from the industry and academia of both countries will be further stimulated.
Artificial intelligence
Both countries pledged close cooperation to ensure safe, responsible, human-centric, and trustworthy AI. In particular, to create a global AI environment in accordance with values shared between the two countries, Korea and the UK will solidify cooperation in multilateral forums, such as Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and engage in coordination among international partners who also share the same core values. In line with this, the two countries agreed to co-host the "Mini Virtual Summit" next year, a follow-up event to the "AI Safety Summit," which was held in the UK this November for the first time in the world to explore cooperation among nations, businesses, and organizations for the safe use of AI. The "Mini Virtual Summit" is scheduled to be held in six months, providing an interim review for corresponding measures taken after the first Summit, and a platform for commencing full-swing discussion on the establishment of a global AI governance, bringing together heads of state and global big-tech CEOs.
Creation of technological ecosystem
Korea and the UK decided to enhance partnerships between startups and other forms of businesses in the field of digital technology. To achieve this, a workshop will be organized for government bodies, businesses, and relevant organizations to improve understanding of each country's technological ecosystems and strengths, share best practices and explore specific collaboration opportunities. In addition, the two governments will support analysis on and sharing of what businesses in respective countries need, and identification of potential partners.
Other areas of enhanced digital partnership concern data, global digital norms, digital technology standards, internet governance, fair and competitive digital market, cybersecurity, and online safety.
Meanwhile, to advance the specific implementation of cooperation initiatives discussed, the "ROK-UK Digital Partnership Forum" will be annually organized to assess the status of cooperative actions in each field. Vice Ministers of MSIT and UK DSIT will lead the Forum as the head of delegation of each country.
[ROK-UK MoU on space cooperation]
Following the signing of the Digital Partnership, MSIT and UK DSIT agreed to sign a bilateral MoU on space cooperation for peaceful purposes.
In the "15th ROK-UK Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology" held in last June, where MSIT 1st Vice Minister and UK DSIT Permanent Secretary led the Korean and UK delegations, a conversation had started on the need for bilateral cooperation in the space sector and an MoU on space cooperation. Afterwards, on several occasions such as the International Astronautical Congress (IAC), working-level discussions between two countries continued, resulting in the actual signing of the MoU as part of this state visit.
The goal of the MoU is to systemize and promote cooperative procedures regarding the overlapping fields of interest, such as space exploration, commercial industry, and policies. The MoU covers a wide range of avenues for cooperation, including space exploration, commercial industry, infrastructure, satellites, regulatory framework, navigation and timing, communications, earth observation, sustainability in the space sector, and mutual assistance in bilateral and multilateral deliberation. Following up to the signing of the MoU, both countries will organize joint working groups, joint research projects, expert exchange, education programs, exchange between industrial bodies, and more, to implement specific cooperation initiatives.
Just as KITSAT-1, developed in collaboration with the University of Surrey in the UK, signaled the start of Korea's space endeavors to come, this ROK-UK space cooperation MoU is anticipated to serve as a steppingstone for the two countries to move further in their strategic partnership for space exploration, policy, and industry. Additionally, as both countries are the signed parties of the Artemis Accords and are committed to policy establishment and technological development for the sustainable space, Korea and the UK are expected to work more closely on policy and normative aspects of the space sector as well.
[Implementation Arrangement on Science and Technology Cooperation]
The ROK-UK agreement on intergovernmental science and technology cooperation dates back to 1985, and this year's Implementation Arrangement aims to update the scientific and technological partnership ever since, in celebration of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Through the Implementation Arrangement, not only the two countries will support joint research efforts and human resource exchanges, but also promote collaborations between businesses. Moreover, in order to ensure the implementation, an ROK-UK joint commission on science and technology will be established. Korea and the UK governments will be represented each by MSIT Vice Minister and UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor. UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor supervises other Chief Scientific Advisors dispatched to each department and provides consultations to relevant agencies in the Royal Family, Prime Minister, and members of the Cabinet on the matters of science and technology policies.
Up until now, from the Korean government, MSIT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE), and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) have operated three separate intergovernmental deliberative bodies as communication channels with the UK DSIT in the course of pursuing science and technology cooperation. However, the establishment of a joint commission will enable more comprehensive and integrated approach to coordinating and implementing cooperation agenda items.
Minister Lee Jong Ho stated that, "This year, which marks the 140th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between Korea and the United Kingdom, President Yoon's state visit to the United Kingdom opened a new chapter in bilateral science and digital technology cooperation." He added, "Building upon the three Memoranda of Understanding signed today, the two countries will expand cooperation in the fields of advanced technology, including telecommunications, semiconductors, AI, and space."
* Full text of the ROK-UK Digital Partnership in English: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-republic-of-korea-digital-partnership/uk-republic-of-korea-digital-partnership
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
please refer to the attached PDF.