The South Korean government will strengthen cooperation with Italy in advanced science and technology and ICT, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum and robotics.

The Ministry of Science and ICT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Italy’s Ministry of Universities and Research in Rome on June 12, on the sidelines of President Lee Jae-myung (이재명)'s state visit to Italy.

The two countries held ministerial talks and signed the MOU. The MOU includes key future technology areas for which the two sides formed a consensus on the need for cooperation during a Korea-Italy summit in January.

The two countries will pursue joint research and personnel exchanges in line with global technology trends in AI, quantum and robotics. They will strengthen the foundation for practical cooperation in science and technology by sharing research policy and jointly using advanced research facilities.

Bae Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, highlighted the results of South Korean and Italian researchers carrying out 15 projects together in the first year South Korea participated as an associate member of Horizon Europe. Bae asked Italy for continued interest and support so existing joint research between the two countries can be linked to and expanded into a global multilateral cooperation framework.

Cooperation in basic science was also discussed as a key agenda item. In October last year, the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) opened the Neutrino Dark Matter Center with Italy’s National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN).

The 13th Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, held before the ministerial talks, brought together key researchers from both countries for academic and policy exchanges. The two countries set AI, climate change and advanced bio as three priority areas for cooperation. The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and the Korea Brain Research Institute presented plans for future research cooperation with Italy.

Bae said, "I will continue close communication and sustain the partnership so that the momentum of trust built through today’s MOU and the joint committee can become new opportunities for researchers and companies in both countries."