Last Spring, South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) held separate joint committee meetings with Russia and Switzerland. The goal of the meetings was to expand cooperation on innovative technologies.

With Russia, South Korea agreed to focus on developing and commercializing technologies in artificial intelligence, high-functional UAVs for aerial and offshore missions, life science of developing anticancer immunotherapy, and quantum communications, identified as key drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution marked by accelerated technical progress.

Furthermore, the National Research Council of Science and Technology of South Korea and the Russian Academy of Sciences brought together about 40 experts in artificial intelligence, bio-engineering, and advanced materials, and about 200 professionals from Russian universities and research institutes to share their research outcomes and to explore substantial cooperation methods between researchers. Both research institutes expect to continue this cooperation.

With Switzerland, MSIT and the National Research Foundation of Korea held a symposium at which 200 participants from firms, startup incubators, universities, and research institutes explored the future of the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, including artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

Members of both countries’ industry, academia, and research institutes shared information on innovative technologies by giving presentations on smart transportation and safety, inclusive technologies for marginalized populations, technology-led solutions, and concepts of the smart city. They explored opportunities for research cooperation, investment, and market entry at a business matchmaking dinner.