KAIST Global Center for Development and Strategy메인으로 이동

• Date and Time: June 10, 2026 (Wednesday), 1:00–6:00 p.m.

• Venue: Yang Seung-Taik Auditorium, KAIST Academic Cultural Complex (E9), Daejeon

• Hosted by: KAIST Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs)

The KAIST Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) hosted the “Forum on Global Cooperation in Science and Technology: Beyond Crisis, Toward Sustainable Cooperation” at the Yang Seung-Taik Auditorium in the KAIST Academic Cultural Complex on June 10, 2026.

The forum was organized to review South Korea’s international cooperation strategies and execution capabilities and to explore sustainable approaches to cooperation amid a rapidly changing environment for international cooperation in science and technology, driven by intensifying competition for technological hegemony, the restructuring of global supply chains, and rising uncertainty in energy security.

The event was held as a follow-up to last year’s “Forum on Global Cooperation in Science and Technology: Reflections and Prospects.” Building on discussions concerning the direction and principles of international cooperation in science and technology, this year’s forum focused on more concrete challenges arising in the field, including research security, international joint research, institutional foundations, and the development of professional talent.

The forum opened with welcoming remarks by Kwang Hyung Lee, President of KAIST, congratulatory remarks by Sangwook Kang, Director General for Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Science and ICT, and opening remarks by Myung Ja Kim, Chairperson of the KAIST Board of Trustees. A wide range of discussions subsequently took place across three sessions.

                   

   

The first session, “Restructuring Science and Technology International Cooperation in the Era of Techno-Geopolitics,” was chaired by So Young Kim, Vice President of International Office at KAIST. The session examined how competition for technological hegemony, economic security, and the restructuring of global supply chains are reshaping international cooperation in science and technology.

Wonho Yeon, Director at Hyundai Motor Group Global Policy Office (GPO), discussed strategic cooperation in the era of economic security; Eunkyu Cho, Head of Team at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET), presented opportunities for Korea–China cooperation in the field of physical AI; and Inkyoung Sun, Research Fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), addressed international research cooperation and research security policy. Damian Bank, Professor at G-CODEs, and Chaegwon Lim, Professor at the School of Electrical Engineering at KAIST, joined the panel discussion to explore cooperation strategies that balance openness with the protection of critical technologies.

The second session, “International Joint Research: Issues and Challenges,” was chaired by Jae Yong Choung, Professor at the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy at KAIST. The session addressed practical experiences and institutional challenges associated with international joint research.

Eunseong Kim, Dean of the Graduate School of Quantum Science and Technology at KAIST, introduced the conditions required to build sustainable research networks, drawing on the experience of the KAIST–MIT global partnership. Dr. Hae Jung Lee of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States shared an overseas partner’s perspective on South Korea’s collaborative capabilities and areas for improvement.

Seokkyun Woo, Professor at the Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy at KAIST, analyzed the current status of international joint research conducted by government-funded research institutes and presented policy implications for improving the international cooperation support system. Ju Young Kim, Policy Officer at the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, and Hyerin Park, Center Head at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), participated in the panel discussion.

The third session, “Fostering Talent for Science and Technology International Cooperation,” was chaired by Sukyung Park, Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KAIST. The session explored the competencies and training systems needed to foster interdisciplinary professionals capable of connecting science and technology with diplomacy, policy, and international cooperation.

Eunju Jun, Director at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI); Mijung Um, Center Head at the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI); Jonghoon Moon, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Science and ICT; Jinyeob Na, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Eun Jung Koh, Head of Division at the Korea Institute of Human Resources Development in Science and Technology (KIRD), participated as panelists and shared their experiences from research institutes, government agencies, and the field of science diplomacy.

Participants emphasized the need to develop interdisciplinary education and systematic career development pathways that enable science and engineering professionals to expand their careers beyond laboratories and contribute to policymaking, international organizations, and science and technology diplomacy.

The forum provided a meaningful opportunity for researchers, policymakers, and international cooperation practitioners to jointly assess changes in the global environment and explore practical approaches that connect research, policy, and diplomacy.

G-CODEs will continue to strengthen the institutional foundations and execution capabilities of international cooperation in science and technology while advancing research and policy discussions on major issues, including research security, international joint research, and the development of future professionals.