[Gyeongju APEC] "South Korea and US to Cooperate on Advanced Technologies Including AI, Quantum Computing, and 6G... Strengthening 'Technology Alliance'"

To Be Signed at South Korea-US Summit
Comprehensive Cooperation in AI, 6G, Quantum Technologies, and Biotech
Aiming to Secure an Edge in Tech Rivalry with China

Bloomberg News reported on October 28 (local time) that South Korea and the United States will sign an agreement in advanced science and technology fields-including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, space, and sixth-generation mobile communications (6G)-in Gyeongju, where the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit is being held. This agreement is interpreted as a strategic move by the United States to maintain its technological superiority amid the intensifying US-China competition for technological dominance.

Yonhap News Agency

The agreement is scheduled to be announced in conjunction with the South Korea-US summit on October 29, and, according to an anonymous US government official, Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, is expected to sign on behalf of the United States.

The agreement is expected to include: strengthening export controls related to AI; easing regulatory burdens on technology companies; and relaxing restrictions on cross-border data storage and utilization. Additionally, it will cover measures to strengthen biotech and pharmaceutical supply chains, enhance research security, protect quantum technology, and promote joint projects in space and 6G communications. The list of participating companies and detailed provisions have not yet been released.

Kratsios stated, "The Trump administration is redefining American technological leadership through cooperation with allies such as South Korea," adding, "This agreement will accelerate scientific innovation and mark the beginning of a new era of innovation led by the United States and its partner countries."

The strengthening of technological cooperation between South Korea and the United States is intended to counter China's technological ambitions. President Trump has already signed similar technology cooperation agreements with Japan and the United Kingdom.

China is fiercely competing with the United States by expanding its technological competitiveness across advanced industries such as AI, space, robotics, electric vehicles, and semiconductors. In particular, as the Chinese government invests massive funds to intensively foster AI and quantum research, the United States is responding by strengthening technological cooperation with its allies.

The Trump administration has designated emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and 6G as core areas of national strategy. Quantum computing has already been classified as a critical national security technology, while in the AI sector, the administration is pursuing regulatory easing, expanding infrastructure investment, and restricting exports of advanced semiconductors to China.