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Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) will enhance collaboration in science and technology. The two sides held the 9th session of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation in Seoul. The meeting was co-chaired by Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat, and the RoK’s Minister of Science and ICT, Lee Jong-ho.
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The meeting was a part of the action programme to actualise the comprehensive strategic partnership formed between the two nations and initiated during the visit of RoK President Yoon Suk Yeol to Vietnam in June. The meeting facilitated the exchange of key policies in science and technology from both nations and explored avenues for broadening bilateral cooperation in emerging sectors.
The Korean delegation presented three primary strategies and 17 objectives from its 5th Basic Science and Technology Plan for the 2023-2027 period. In return, Vietnam briefed the Korean side on its science-technology renovation policy, facilitating a deeper mutual understanding of each other’s science and technology policies.
Participants also assessed their science-technology partnership over the years and discussed ways to further strengthen their collaboration in this domain. This included the expansion of science and technology innovation cooperation, diversification of collaborative approaches, and extension of support for Vietnam in implementing the second phase of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST).
Furthermore, RoK agreed to provide Vietnam with access to its database on artificial intelligence (AI) and foster cooperation in AI, digital transformation, core technology, and the sourcing of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Additionally, they will enhance their assistance in capacity improvement training for Vietnam.
Both parties will work together to connect their respective startup ecosystems. They also agreed to continue to support the construction of the RoK’s research and development (R&D) centres in Vietnam.
At the event, Minister Lee highlighted the growing influence of science and technology on daily life and socioeconomic activities. He stated that through enhanced policy coordination and partnership in emerging sectors, the two nations can leverage each other’s strengths and collectively address the challenges they encounter.
He outlined the significant outcomes of their joint research and the positive human resources exchange within typical cooperation projects. He said that the country hopes science-technology collaboration with Vietnam will be further fostered through the joint committee mechanism.
Minister Dat affirmed that the signing of the minutes from the ninth meeting reflects the commitment of both countries to execute collaborative initiatives, establishing a groundwork for the advancement of their comprehensive partnership in the future.
The Vietnam-RoK Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation meets annually, in line with the bilateral science and technology cooperation agreement that was initially inked in April 1995. During the eight preceding meetings, the committee explored various avenues for collaboration in the field of science and technology. The 10th meeting of the committee will be held in Vietnam.
Last year, the two sides held a digital transformation forum where information technology enterprises shared digital transformation solutions in manufacturing industries. The Director of the Authority of Radio Frequency Management, Le Van Tuan, under the Ministry of Information and Communications, had suggested that businesses from RoK share their experiences in the implementation of digital transformation with their Vietnamese counterparts.