On the 17th, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that they held a signing ceremony for the 'Agreement on Korea's Participation in the European Union Program' and the 'Protocol on Korea’s Associate Membership in the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Framework Program 2021-2017' at the headquarters of the European Commission in Belgium.
The representatives from both sides were Ambassador Yoo Jeong-hyun, the South Korean Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, and Signe Ratso, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission. This agreement stipulates various matters regarding Korea's participation in the EU program and includes provisions for Korea to participate as an associate member in the Horizon Europe program through the protocol.
Horizon Europe is the ninth program of the framework program that the EU has been promoting since 1984. It is the world’s largest multilateral research and innovation program, with a total EU budget of 95.5 billion euros (about 150 trillion won) allocated for seven years from 2021 to 2027. Horizon Europe includes participation from 27 EU member states as well as 19 associate countries, including the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, and Canada. Korea joined as the first in Asia.
Associate countries from non-European regions, including Korea, will participate in Pillar 2 (53.5 billion euros, about 85 trillion won) of Horizon Europe, which addresses global challenges and industrial competitiveness. Researchers from Korea participating in Pillar 2 will be able to apply for projects on an equal basis with researchers from EU member states and Horizon Europe associate states, receiving direct research funds from the Horizon Europe budget without additional domestic selection evaluations after project selection according to EU procedures.
Minister Bae Gyeong-hun noted, "Through Korea's participation as an associate member of Horizon Europe, a foundation has been laid for expanding joint research between Korean and European researchers, and I expect practical cooperation in various advanced scientific and technological fields, such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and advanced bio, to be enhanced with the European region. The government will do its utmost to ensure that joint research between Korean and European researchers can proceed actively," he stated.