May 26, 2025 - Dr. Kyungjin Song participated as a presenter and discussant at the ITIF-KAIST 2025 National Strategic Technology Innovation Forum held at KAIST on May 22, 2025. In her presentation, she highlighted the importance of the ROK-U.S. cooperation through strategic technology partnership in the context of a rapidly evolving global tech landscape and outlined directions for future cooperation.

Titled “Advancing ROK-U.S. Cooperation through Strategic Technology Partnerships,” Dr. Song’s presentation emphasized that, building on the robust foundation of political, economic, and security cooperation developed over the past 70 years, the ROK-U.S. alliance must now expand into critical areas of strategic technology—such as artificial intelligence (AI), advanced semiconductors, SMRs, space technology, shipbuilding, advanced biopharmaceuticals, and critical minerals, among others.

Dr. Song noted that, given Korea’s declining growth potential due to demographic shifts and limitations in capital investment, fostering innovation and boosting productivity are now more essential than ever. Investment in science and technology, the driving force of innovation, will be the key determinant of Korea’s future economic competitiveness and growth.

Against this background, she also underscored that there is ample reason and room for collaboration between the United States, a global technology leader, and Korea, a powerhouse in manufacturing. She further emphasized the need to move beyond mere declarations of a technological alliance and pursue tangible areas of cooperation such as joint R&D investment, people-to-people exchange at all levels, not just among researchers bur also among politicians, policymakers, businesspeople, journalists, and youth, and the co-development of digital trade norms.

The forum, co-hosted by the KAIST Policy Research Institute for Future Strategy and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), was convened to explore Korea’s science and technology strategies in response to shifts in global cooperation and technological competition, particularly considering the second Trump administration. Held at the Jung Kunmo Conference Hall, the event brought together experts across fields—science and technology, diplomacy and security, and industry—to engage in dynamic discussions on global trends and strategic responses related to national strategic technologies.

*Photo Credit: KAIST Policy Research Institute for Future Strategy