The 2024 K‑Science and Technology Global Forum took place on Wednesday, December 11, at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul. The event was designed to foster communication and collaboration with domestic and international partners by showcasing Korea’s policy directions and achievements in science, technology, and digital cooperation.

It integrated three previously separate events — the Science and Technology Diplomacy Forum for government officials, the Policy Briefing for Foreign Diplomats, and the International Joint Research Conference for researchers — into a single program. More than 200 participants attended, including government officials, principal investigators of international joint research projects, and 87 representatives from 57 diplomatic missions and international organizations in Korea.

△ Sang-im Yoo, Minister of Science and ICT

The forum opened with welcoming remarks by Sang‑im Yoo, Minister of Science and ICT (MSIT), followed by congratulatory speeches from Hyung‑du Choi, Member of the National Assembly (Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee); Young‑sik Kim, Chairperson of the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST); Byung‑seon Jeong, President of the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP); and Kwang‑hyung Lee, President of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

△ (Clockwise from left) Byung-seon Jeong, President of KISTEP; Young-sik Kim, Chairperson of NST; Kwang-hyung Lee, President of KAIST; and Assemblyman Hyung-du Choi

In his congratulatory remarks, KISTEP President Jeong emphasized the necessity of strategic international cooperation in science and technology to secure global technological superiority and expand the international community’s role. He noted that competition was intensifying in emerging key technologies such as AI, quantum science, and advanced biotechnology, stressing the importance of international collaboration to tackle global challenges like climate change and cybersecurity. President Jeong expressed his hope that this forum would serve as an essential venue for exploring directions and strategies to become a leading science and technology powerhouse, driven by strengthened global solidarity and cooperation.

Professor Eun-mi Chae of Korea University delivered a keynote address titled "Fostering Young Scientists through International Cooperation in Science and Technology." She underscored the critical role international collaboration played in nurturing research talent and facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas, resources, and scientific equipment.

△ Yann LeCun, Professor at New York University

Renowned AI expert Professor Yann LeCun of New York University delivered a keynote speech titled “Current Developments in AI Technology and Global Cooperation.” During his address, he explained that rather than referring to near-human-level AI as Artificial General Intelligence, the term “Ambient Intelligence (AMI)” may become standard. AMI refers to an advanced machine intelligence designed to safely support humans as trusted companions while remaining under human control. He also discussed the role and future prospects of global cooperation in developing and governing AMI technologies.

Subsequent sessions focused on four key global topics. In Session 1, Hyuk‑chae Koo, Director General of the Office of Planning and Coordination at MSIT, presented the Republic of Korea’s policy directions for international cooperation in science and technology and introduced the medium‑to‑long‑term “Science and Technology Diplomacy Initiative.”

He outlined MSIT’s plans to strengthen collaboration through enhanced public–private partnerships, an advanced cooperation ecosystem, regulatory streamlining, and region‑specific strategies. Koo said MSIT would consolidate overseas cooperation resources around diplomatic missions to diversify partnerships with Europe, the United States, and other key regions; expand projects with Asia‑Pacific, Latin America, and African countries; establish a Strategic Committee for International Science and Technology Cooperation; and convene cooperation forums on a regular basis.

△ EU Ambassador to Korea and diplomats from (clockwise from bottom) the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, and Vietnam

Session 2 featured “Case Studies in International Science and Technology Cooperation,” during which diplomats representing the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (U.S.), Vietnam, and Sweden each presented examples of S&T and ICT partnerships with Korea. Highlights included:

- European Union (EU): Korea’s associate membership in Horizon Europe

- United Kingdom (UK): Hosting the AI Seoul Summit

- United States (U.S.): Strengthening the Korea-U.S. S&T and ICT alliance

- Vietnam: Establishment of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST)

- Sweden: Strengthening research collaboration between Korean and Swedish universities

△ Presentation of Awards for Outstanding Contributions to Global R&D

Session 3, titled “Sharing 2024 Global R&D Outcomes,” highlighted the global R&D policies and achievements of MSIT, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Participants involved in newly launched international collaborative research projects also shared key outcomes and accomplishments from their projects firsthand.

In Session 4, Min-jung Baek, Director of the Office of International Talent Development and Cooperation at the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), introduced support measures to encourage Korean researchers to actively participate in Horizon Europe during the “Horizon Europe Participation Briefing & Global Networking” event.

△ On-site Networking