KEY TALKS - EU-KOREA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: PERSPECTIVES OF SCIENCE DIPLOMACY
KEY (Korea Europe & You) was delighted to welcome Dr Park Jin, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea (2022-2024) and Chair of the Advisory Council of the KAIST Center for Science Diplomacy, for a KEY Talks event in Brussels on 24 September.
Hosted by Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, the event brought together representatives from European and Korean institutions, businesses, universities and research organisations for a conversation on the future of the EU-Korea Strategic Partnership and the growing role of science diplomacy in international relations.
The discussion was introduced by Joseph Lee, Director of EU Affairs at the KITA Brussels Center, who set the scene by outlining his vision of what science diplomacy is and highlighting the growing connections between technology, trade, industrial policy, economic security and geopolitics.
The conversation with Dr Park Jin then explored how rapid technological change is reshaping diplomacy and international relations, the opportunities for deeper EU-Korea cooperation in science and technology, and the role that governments, businesses and research institutions can play in translating this cooperation into concrete partnerships.
Key Takeaways
-
Science diplomacy is becoming increasingly strategic. As technological capabilities become more closely connected to economic competitiveness, national security and geopolitical influence, science and technology are moving to the heart of international relations.
-
The EU and Korea have significant opportunities to deepen their partnership through science and technology. Building on existing cooperation in research, innovation and strategic technologies, science diplomacy can provide an additional avenue for developing mutually beneficial partnerships in strategic and emerging fields.
-
Science diplomacy involves a much broader ecosystem than governments alone. Businesses, universities and research institutions increasingly have a role alongside policymakers and diplomats, particularly as technology, trade, investment and economic security become more interconnected.
-
International cooperation increasingly has to coexist with technological and economic security. The conversation addressed the challenge of protecting strategic interests while preserving the openness and international collaboration on which scientific and technological progress depends.
The discussion was followed by an exchange with participants and a networking lunch, providing an opportunity to continue the conversation across the European and Korean policy, business and research communities.
Special thanks to Dr Park Jin for sharing his perspectives and experience, to Joseph Lee and KITA Brussels Center for setting the scene for the discussion, and to Hogan Lovells Cadwalader and Renato Antonini for hosting us. We also thank all participants for their engagement and contributions to the conversation.
