Strengthening Biomedical Research Collaboration with Hungary, the 'Home of mRNA Vaccines'

10th Korea-Hungary Science and Technology Joint Committee Meeting Held on the Afternoon of the 9th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Hungary, a powerhouse in basic science, and Korea are strengthening cooperation in scientific and technological research and development, including biomedical fields.

On the 9th, the Ministry of Science and ICT jointly held the 10th Korea-Hungary Science and Technology Joint Committee (Joint Committee) online with the Hungarian National Research, Development and Innovation Office. Based on the science and technology cooperation agreement signed in 1989, the two countries discuss exchanges of science and technology policies, joint research, and cooperation between research institutions through the Joint Committee.

Hungary was the first Eastern European country to establish diplomatic relations with Korea and is a scientific powerhouse that has produced as many as 12 Nobel laureates in science and technology fields. In addition to achievements that have greatly influenced humanity, such as the discovery of vitamin C and nuclear chain reactions, everyday items like matches and ballpoint pens are also Hungarian inventions.

In particular, the mRNA vaccine, which has made a significant contribution to overcoming the recent COVID-19 pandemic, was developed by Dr. Katalin Karik?, a Hungarian-born scientist who studied mRNA and earned her doctorate at the University of Szeged in Hungary in the 1970s.

This Joint Committee was organized to exchange policies on pressing international issues such as carbon emissions and to explore cooperation methods that combine Hungary’s outstanding basic science capabilities with Korea’s strengths in manufacturing technology and ICT. The meeting proceeded with sessions on exchanging major science and technology policies, evaluating existing cooperative projects, and exploring new cooperation plans.

In the major science and technology policy exchange session, Korea introduced the 2022 national research and development investment directions and carbon-neutral technology innovation strategies announced this year, while Hungary presented its energy and climate plans and smart specialization strategies, confirming common interests such as climate change and digital transformation between the two countries.

To explore new cooperation methods, the two countries held in-depth discussions on promising fields such as laser technology, biomedical, eco-friendly energy, and nanotechnology. They confirmed the potential for expanding basic research in materials through cooperation between ELI (Extreme Light Infrastructure) ALPS, a representative European Union (EU) laser research facility established in Szeged, Hungary, and the Institute for Basic Science (IBS). In the biomedical, eco-friendly energy, and nanotechnology fields, mutual cooperation among researchers was proposed and future development was discussed. Additionally, the possibility of cooperation between the Korea-Russia Innovation Center, which supports the convergence of overseas basic and fundamental technologies with domestic applied technologies, and Hungary was also reviewed.

Kim Sung-kyu, Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “Through this Joint Committee, we were able to confirm common interests and new possibilities for cooperation between the two countries,” adding, “We will strive to further activate science and technology cooperation with Eastern European basic science powerhouses, including Hungary.”