Singapore and South Korea have elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, marking a milestone 50 years after establishing diplomatic ties — with artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology emerging as central pillars of future cooperation.
During an official visit to Seoul, Singapore’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the Yongsan Presidential Office, where both leaders announced the Strategic Partnership and signed multiple agreements focused on innovation, digital transformation, and AI governance.
The two nations pledged to deepen collaboration in frontier technologies, including AI safety, quantum computing, and advanced communications. A new Memorandum of Understanding between the Korea AI Safety Institute and Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will advance the science of AI safety, reflecting both governments’ shared goal of developing trustworthy AI systems.
Under the Strategic Partnership’s “Advanced Technology and R&D” pillar, Singapore and South Korea will explore joint projects in AI governance, embodied AI, and AI research, as well as 6G networks, quantum-safe communications, and cybersecurity. The partnership also supports developing AI applications in autonomous mobility and manufacturing, reinforcing both countries’ ambitions to lead in digital innovation.
Prime Minister Wong and President Lee highlighted that AI cooperation would not only enhance technological competitiveness but also strengthen the broader regional architecture by setting global benchmarks for responsible innovation. “Our cooperation in strategic and cutting-edge areas will serve as pathfinders for broader regional cooperation,” the leaders said in a joint statement.
The countries also agreed to promote the free and secure flow of data through frameworks like the Global Cross Border Privacy Rules Forum, laying the groundwork for trusted digital exchange across Asia.
The Strategic Partnership reflects a shared vision of a resilient, high-tech future — where AI and emerging technologies drive sustainable growth, digital trust, and regional stability.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the new framework “ushers in a new era in ROK-Singapore relations,” aligning both countries as key partners in shaping an AI-driven global economy.
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