Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea held bilateral meetings with the Israel Innovation Authority and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry today, respectively, to discuss measures for high-tech cooperation.

During the Korea-Israel Industrial R&D Foundation (KORIL-RDF) board of directors videoconference, Korea’s Director General for Industrial Technology Convergence Policy Je Kyung-hee and Dror Bin, CEO, at the Israel Innovation Authority reviewed the two countries’ joint projects slated for this year in areas like artificial intelligence (AI), quantum cryptography communication, semiconductors, autonomous driving, and bio, agreeing to make joint effort for smooth progress.

The two countries are currently engaging in industrial, academic, and R&D collaboration via joint R&D support and technical seminars based on a joint annual funding of USD 8 million through the binational KORIL-RDF established in 2001. At present, 16 joint R&D projects are underway and seven new projects are in line for 2025.

It is anticipated that the two countries can look forward to creating synergy by combining Korea’s leading manufacturing base and Israel’s powerful startup business ecosystem and technology talents in advanced industries like cybersecurity, AI, and semiconductors.

Prior to the Korea-Israel videoconference, Director General Je also held a meeting with Kikukawa Jingo, Director General for Innovation and Environment Policy at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. They discussed government policies for innovation, measures for private-sector R&D investment support, and technological cooperation with the incoming U.S. administration. Sharing an understanding on the need for cooperation amid the changing industrial technology landscape, both sides agreed to expand the scope of joint research and bilateral industrial, academic, and R&D exchanges going forward while seeking further areas for collaboration.