The Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Korea (henceforth referred to as the “Participants”),
United in a shared vision of enhancing scientific and technological prowess to pave the way for an upcoming Golden Age of Innovation, thereby ensuring freedom and prosperity for future generations,
Recognizing the significance of bilateral collaboration in science and technology to enrich the lives of citizens in both nations and elevate the U.S.-ROK Alliance,
And acknowledging the necessity of fortifying ties with strategic partners across the Pacific to bolster regional stability,
Have come to the following understandings:
I. Purpose
The objective of this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as “MOU”) is to facilitate collaboration on mutually beneficial opportunities in strategic science and technology fields.
II. Areas of Cooperation
The Participants aspire to cooperate across several disciplines, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
Accelerating AI Adoption and Innovation
AI heralds a transformative Golden Age of Innovation, capable of enhancing individual empowerment and propelling advancements in areas such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and education. The Participants plan to work closely on developing AI policy frameworks that encourage innovation, promoting the export of reliable AI technology stacks, developing AI-ready datasets, reinforcing technology protection measures, and fostering children’s digital wellbeing. Key focus areas for collaboration include:
- Driving innovative research and development to expedite the application of AI in science, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, and related sectors through use-inspired research initiatives, supported by organizations like the U.S. National Science Foundation and the National Research Foundation of Korea;
- Advocating for pro-innovation AI policy frameworks and supporting AI technology adoption;
- Collaboratively promoting U.S. and Korean AI exports encompassing the full spectrum of AI hardware, models, software, applications, and standards;
- Investigating AI export agreements across Asia and beyond to foster a shared AI ecosystem in the region;
- Partnering to enhance the enforcement of existing AI compute protection measures and discussing alignment on protection mechanisms for critical and emerging technologies;
- Facilitating mutual understanding of AI adoption guidelines from both Participants to harmonize practices that promote interoperability;
- Working together to alleviate operational burdens for innovators and tech companies, specifically targeting barriers to innovative, trusted, and privacy-preserving data hosting architectures, thereby creating a supportive environment for digital application platforms;
- Strengthening the partnership between the U.S. Center for AI Standards and Innovation and the Korea AI Safety Institute, aiming towards a joint mission to promote secure AI innovation via best practices in AI metrology, industry standards development, and improving the understanding of advanced AI models and sector-specific applications;
- Engaging in discussions to foster education, innovation, and technology for children to thrive in the digital age and prepare future generations for tomorrow’s workforce, including participation in the Fostering the Future Together global initiative initiated by First Lady Melania Trump.
Trusted Technology Leadership
The Participants aim to deepen their long-standing collaboration on pivotal technologies and practices to secure technology leadership globally, including:
- Research Security
Understanding the need for shared research security across critical and emerging technology developments, the Participants intend to strengthen collaboration to safeguard their technologies and personnel. This includes capacity building for universities, research organizations, and industries, enhancing collaboration on threat analysis, and leading allies to adopt similarly rigorous practices to ensure a trusted innovation ecosystem. - Advanced Radio Access Networks and 6G
Expanding their telecommunications innovation partnership, the Participants plan to collaborate on developing a trusted, interoperable supply chain and joint research in 6G-related technologies. This effort will be bolstered by joint engagement in standards organizations and partnerships with industry stakeholders to shape global telecommunications standards aligned with the Participants’ priorities. - Securing Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Supply Chains
Emphasizing the urgency of securing their shared pharmaceutical and biotechnology supply chains, as well as their intellectual property and innovation ecosystems, the Participants aim to accelerate efforts in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities. They will work together on supply chain security across all research and development phases, engaging with academic, governmental, and industry stakeholders. - Leading Quantum Innovation
Positioning themselves at the cutting edge of quantum innovation while protecting critical capabilities, the Participants intend to advance trusted and interoperable standards for quantum technologies, deepen partnerships among leading quantum institutions, and secure the quantum supply chain to nurture a robust quantum ecosystem. - Basic Research and STEM Exchange
The Participants plan to fortify the foundation for bilateral science and technology cooperation by increasing participation in large-scale projects and actively supporting exchanges and collaborative activities among researchers from both nations, promoting the advancement of fundamental science and technology. - Cooperating on Space Exploration
Recognizing that investments in space research and development, particularly for human missions to the Moon and Mars, serve civilian mission needs, the Participants will continue their collaboration in civil space, aeronautics, science, and human exploration. Areas of cooperation encompass contributions to future Artemis missions, a Korean cubesat rideshare on Artemis II, NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services, and developing the Korea Positioning System for maximum compatibility with GPS.
III. Operation and Discontinuation
This MOU will take effect upon the date of the final signature. Amendments may be made through mutual written consent. Any Participant may terminate this MOU by providing written notice to the other, with discontinuation expected to take effect 180 days after notice is delivered. Implementation of the MOU will be facilitated through a Joint Committee Meeting framework.
This MOU does not create any legally binding obligations. It is not intended to alter or affect any existing agreements between the Participants. Collaboration under this MOU will occur within the confines of applicable national laws and international commitments, and does not obligate the Participants to allocate funds.
The above represents the mutual understanding reached by the Participants concerning the matters outlined in this MOU.
Signed in duplicate, in English.
