Today, the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirmed the importance of their partnership in promoting cooperation on emerging digital technologies to benefit both economies. This commitment was highlighted during the third Digital Partnership Council meeting held in Seoul. The EU emphasised its dedication to strengthening collaboration with digital partners worldwide to enhance competitiveness, innovation, and resilience.
Through the Digital Partnership, the EU and the ROK will continue their joint efforts in research and innovation related to emerging technologies, including semiconductors, 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum technologies. This cooperation aims to enhance future competitiveness and technological leadership while fostering stronger economic security through increased resilience in critical technology areas, such as cybersecurity.
Henna Virkkunen, the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Tech Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, and Bae Kyung-hoon, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea, co-chaired the meeting.
“Today’s meeting has reaffirmed the commitment of the EU and the Republic of Korea to continue to work together to boost our innovation and competitiveness, to ensure our economic security and to build a digital environment that reflects our shared values. I look forward to continuing our digital partnership,” said Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen.
Third Digital Partnership Council commitments
The EU and ROK are enhancing their cooperation across various sectors. They will work together on semiconductor research to develop efficient chips for AI and automated driving, while also advancing 6G technology for better connectivity.
Both partners support collaborative research in quantum technologies under the Horizon Europe programme, emphasising shared development and the exchange of expertise. They will maintain close regulatory cooperation on AI, explore mutual recognition of conformity assessments in line with the AI Act, and focus on evaluating AI safety and trustworthiness.
Additionally, the EU and ROK will strengthen their Cyber Dialogue by sharing cyber threat information, enhancing software supply chain security, and certifying Internet of Things (IoT) security. They aim to develop cybersecurity skills and improve standardisation efforts in international forums such as the International Telecommunications Union. The next Digital Partnership Council meeting is slated for Brussels in 2026.
