Deputy Minister Goo Hyuk-chae of the Ministry of Science and ICT meets with the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development of Canada

Koo Hyuk-chae, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), met with Philip Jennings, Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, on October 30, 2026, to discuss measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation in advanced science and technology. The meeting took place during the fifth Korea-Canada Joint Committee on Science and Technology Innovation, held at the Korea Hotel in Seoul to mark the 10th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Agreement on Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation. During the joint committee, cooperation in research on core emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and bio was discussed, and practical steps were taken to expand inter-agency cooperation ¹.

Significance of the 10th Anniversary of the Agreement and the Fifth Joint Committee

The fifth Korea-Canada Joint Committee on Science and Technology Innovation was held for two days, from October 29 to 30, 2026, at the Korea Hotel in Seoul. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in Science, Technology, and Innovation between Korea and Canada. The event was held to review cooperation achievements over the past decade and identify new opportunities in future innovation sectors ¹. In this context, an official meeting between First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae and Canadian Deputy Minister Philip Jennings took place on October 30 ¹.

On the first day of the joint committee, October 29, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in science, technology, and innovation was signed between the National Research Foundation of Korea and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). Through this MOU, both organizations agreed to promote joint research and expand cooperation in various fields, including the exchange of research personnel and resources ¹. This is expected to serve as an opportunity to deepen institutionalized cooperation between Korea and Canada in science and technology, beyond mere inter-agency exchanges.

Discussions on Cooperation in Key Technologies such as AI, Quantum, and Bio

The main agenda of the joint committee and the vice-ministerial meeting focused on advanced science and technology. The two sides shared the status of core emerging technologies such as AI, quantum, and bio, and discussed specific cooperation plans. In particular, they sought ways to combine complementary capabilities with a focus on research security and future innovation sectors ¹.

First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae emphasized in the meeting, "This year is the time to take science and technology innovation cooperation to the next level, based on the trust and cooperation that the two countries have built so far." He added, "We will strengthen strategic cooperation in advanced technology fields such as AI and quantum, based on the strengths and capabilities possessed by both countries" ¹. Additionally, the MSIT shared its vision for multilateral joint research in the Asia-Pacific region to address common regional challenges and held discussions to realize this vision ¹.

Deputy Minister Philip Jennings, as the Deputy Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, is a key figure in bilateral science, technology, and innovation cooperation and attended the meeting.

Recent Global Cooperation Activities by the MSIT

The MSIT has been continuing various international science and technology diplomatic events around October 2026. On October 19, the ministry held the 'Global AI & Digital Summit' in cooperation with the World Bank. From October 27 to 30, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Energy was held in Seoul ². Sixty-two member states participated in the IAEA Ministerial Conference to discuss directions for international cooperation on nuclear safety and the use of new technologies ².

Furthermore, on October 29, during the period of the joint committee, the MSIT announced the 'Plan for Designating Research Security Dedicated Organizations' ². These series of activities can be seen as part of efforts to strengthen Korea's policy execution capabilities in response to changes in the global science and technology environment.

Based on this joint committee and the signing of the MOU, the two countries plan to extend discussions to regional multilateral cooperation to ensure that joint development of core technologies and policy coordination lead to substantive results in the future ¹.