South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT said on Monday it attended the 2026 Korea-Canada Science and Technology Conference (CKC) in Whistler, Canada, from June 21 to 25. It said it encouraged Korean scientists and engineers in Canada and discussed directions for science and technology cooperation with the Canadian government.

CKC is an international academic conference that has been held since 2011 for academic discussions and exchanges between scientists and engineers from the two countries. This year, under the theme "Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Arctic-led global cooperation (AI - Arctic Synergy for Global Impact)," it is running forums and research cooperation programmes in areas including AI, quantum technology, aerospace, energy, oceans, bio, and Arctic science. Attendance is about 350 people.

Hwang Seong-hoon (황성훈), director-general for international cooperation, attended as head of the ministry's delegation. During the event, he held meetings with Canada's National Research Council (NRC) and the foreign ministry and discussed the timing and agenda for the fifth Korea-Canada Joint Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, as well as ways to expand joint research between the two countries. He also urged attention from the Canadian government to cooperation expanding into AI, supply chains and advanced industries.

Hwang said, "While continuing exchanges with Korean scientists and engineers in Canada, we will reaffirm the trust-based science and technology cooperation relationship between Korea and Canada and deepen strategic cooperation so that it leads to tangible results."