The Ministry of Science and ICT will sign the "Technology Prosperity Deal (MOU)" on the afternoon of the 29th to strengthen science and technology cooperation between Korea and the United States. This MOU is an official intergovernmental agreement arranged on the occasion of the Korea-U.S. summit held during the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) week.
The two countries have maintained close cooperation, starting with the 1992 science and technology agreement and following with agreements in the nuclear and space fields. As the importance of advanced emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and Synthetic Biology grows, the plan is to establish a new cooperation framework across key technologies through this agreement.
The agreement has two main points. First, the two countries will create a joint policy framework to apply AI technology across industries and cooperate on AI exports and building a regional ecosystem. Second, they will expand research and development (R&D), personnel exchanges, and basic research support in strategic technology areas such as next-generation communications, pharmaceutical and bio supply chains, quantum innovation, and space exploration.
At the signing ceremony, Vice Minister Bae Kyung-hoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT and Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will participate as signatories, and Ha Jung-woo, senior secretary for AI future planning at the Presidential Office, and Kratsios will later hold a separate meeting to discuss implementation measures. Based on these discussions, the two countries plan to finalize detailed execution plans by holding a "Korea-U.S. Joint Committee on Science and Technology" in Washington, D.C., next year.
Vice Minister Bae said, "This MOU is a symbol of cooperation for the prosperity of future generations," adding, "We will further solidify the alliance of freedom and mutual growth through science and technology between Korea and the United States."
Senior Secretary Ha said, "Through cooperation on AI full-stack exports and more, this will serve as a springboard for Korea to leap into the world's top three in AI."