The two sides expressed their delight at the increasingly good, comprehensive and in-depth development of the Vietnam-Korea relationship on the basis of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership upgraded in 2022; at the same time, they affirmed that science and technology, innovation and digital transformation (S&T) are one of the important pillars of cooperation in the new period.
Outstanding results in Vietnam - Korea science and technology cooperation: From VKIST to V-COMPAS
The two sides reviewed the outstanding cooperation results in recent times. Specifically, regarding the implementation of the agreement on science and technology cooperation, there have been 9 meetings of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation between Vietnam and Korea; signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in developing and exchanging innovative startup ecosystems (July 2024); successfully deployed the Vietnamese version of the Big Data-based Technology Information Analysis System - V-COMPAS; implemented the Korea - Vietnam Partnership Program for the Future through research, development and innovation... In particular, the Project to Establish the Vietnam - Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) in Vietnam supported by the Korean Government is increasingly playing its role as the nucleus connecting cooperation between institutes, schools and enterprises in the innovation ecosystem of the two countries; at the same time, it is the nucleus spreading and promoting the flow of knowledge and technology between the two countries. VKIST continues to receive support from the Korean Government through the Technical Support Project for Bridging Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the VKIST Project using non-refundable aid capital to continue to maintain momentum, promote the achieved results and ensure the sustainability of the VKIST Project Phase 1 and prepare prerequisites for Phase 2.
Regarding promoting scientific capacity and developing core technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the two sides have implemented joint research cooperation on technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet of Things, including: Applying AI in restoring 3D models of cultural heritages of Vietnam and Korea; using machine learning techniques to forecast oil production; using IoT technology in building support systems, managing, monitoring and automatically controlling feed supply and cooling in livestock farming; 3D reconstruction technology, big data processing applied to the fields of security, smart cities as well as applying AI to disease diagnosis in medicine... Many joint research results have had positive impacts on Vietnam's economic and social efficiency.
Regarding the implementation of the cooperation agreement on information and communication, the two sides have implemented the Vietnam - Korea Information Technology Cooperation Project for the period 2023-2025; Consulting on policy development of the Law on Digital Technology Industry; Deploying business promotion activities; Implementing cooperation on digital transformation such as successfully organizing the Vietnam - Korea Digital Transformation Forum 2024...
Sharing at the meeting, Minister Kyung Hoon Bae introduced major policies and strategies of Korea in the field of science and technology, such as the National Digital Strategy (September 2022); The first master plan for the development of important and emerging technologies (2024-2028); Law on the Protection and Development of National Strategic Technologies (August 2022); Basic Law on Artificial Intelligence (December 2024)... along with indicators for the development of science and technology, innovation and digital transformation.
Based on the achieved results, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung suggested that the two sides continue to promote the implementation of the VKIST Project Phase 2; at the same time, the Korean side is interested in supporting the allocation of non-refundable ODA capital for Vietnam. The Minister emphasized the priority of strengthening cooperation in the fields of telecommunications, information technology, information security, e-government, broadcasting, biotechnology, information technology, climate technology, nanotechnology, clean energy and renewable energy...; promoting the connection of the startup ecosystem, innovation between Vietnam and Korea; continuing to effectively implement the mechanism of the Vietnam - Korea Joint Committee for Science and Technology Cooperation (Ministerial level); continuing to promote cooperation in the field of digital transformation, policy making, strategy building, innovation, research and development and training of digital human resources; Organize digital programs and forums to connect and support businesses of the two countries to establish partnerships in digital transformation and information and communications technology industry, semiconductor industry, and AI, creating conditions for businesses of the two sides to contact, implement trade and investment projects, and expand markets in each country.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung presented a souvenir to Minister Kyung Hoon Bae.
5 focuses of science and technology cooperation in the new period
At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung proposed five key cooperation proposals to bring Vietnam-Korea cooperation into a more extensive development phase.
Regarding research and development cooperation, the two ministries will jointly select a number of technology fields to prioritize for joint development, such as AI, semiconductors, quantum technology, new materials and clean energy; Expand the scale and number of science and technology tasks according to the Protocol and ODA technology projects, prioritize the implementation of VKIST phase 2, towards building this institute into a core industrial R&D center of Vietnam; Promote the Government - institute/school - enterprise cooperation model, especially the construction of a joint R&D Center in Vietnam, with the participation of co-funding and co-ownership of results between enterprises of the two countries; Cooperate to improve technological capacity for Vietnamese institutes, schools and enterprises, through sharing institutional models, technology assessment and expert training.
Regarding cooperation in the field of AI, the two sides will cooperate in building policies and legal frameworks on AI; cooperate in training and developing high-quality AI human resources; consider supporting the establishment of an AI Training Center in Vietnam with the participation of Korean institutes, schools and enterprises; Cooperate in piloting responsible AI applications: coordinate the development of AI pilot projects serving the community (AI in medical diagnosis, smart education, urban transportation); promote connections between AI businesses and startups: establish a channel connecting AI companies between the two countries; support Vietnamese enterprises to participate in the AI innovation ecosystem in Korea.
Regarding the VKIST Project, it is recommended that the Korean Government pay attention and allocate non-refundable ODA capital to Vietnam to implement the VKIST Project Phase 2; support both sides to continue effectively implementing the Project Phase 2 with a focus on investment in priority areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology and advanced materials to turn the Institute into a key industrial research center, playing a core role in the national innovation network, in line with the orientation of the Science, Technology and Innovation Development Strategy for the period 2026 - 2035.
Regarding cooperation through the Vietnam - Korea Joint Committee for Science and Technology Cooperation, since the 9th Ministerial Meeting, the two sides have been promoting joint research cooperation projects in 06 fields: information technology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, digital transformation technology, climate/environmental technology, clean energy/renewable energy technology. The Minister suggested that the two sides coordinate to organize the 10th Meeting of the Vietnam - Korea Joint Committee for Science and Technology Cooperation in 2026 in Vietnam, focusing on the 06 fields mentioned above.
Regarding cooperation within the framework of the Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Project, the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology supports the implementation of the Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship Project and is ready to closely coordinate with MSIT to implement this initiative in Vietnam.
Minister Nguyen Manh Hung proposed that the two sides could consider some specific cooperation contents: Implementing some projects on research and application of digital technology for the community; AI development cooperation project between Vietnamese enterprises and Korean partners; Organizing the ASEAN - Korea Digital Innovation Forum in Vietnam, which can be combined within the framework of Vietnam International Digital Week, scheduled to be held in October 2026.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in building core infrastructure such as AI, next-generation networks and data centers, building legal and institutional frameworks to jointly enter the digital age of AI; sharing policies, strategies and finding cooperation directions in a number of key areas such as the semiconductor industry, AI and the use of AI in the public sector, etc.
Source: https://mst.gov.vn/but-pha-hop-tac-viet-nam-han-quoc-trong-khcn-ai-ban-dan-va-cong-nghe-loi-dan-duong-197250812224001029.htm
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