Han Seong-sook pledges support for deeper cooperation in batteries, chips and AI manufacturing
South Korean Prime Minister Han Seong-sook on Friday called for greater high-tech cooperation between South Korea and Germany, identifying batteries, semiconductors and industrial AI as key drivers of future growth amid growing global economic uncertainty.
Speaking at the 19th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business in Seoul, Han urged the two manufacturing powerhouses to combine their industrial strengths to boost competitiveness and shape global technology standards.
Han highlighted the rapid expansion of bilateral economic ties, with trade growing more than tenfold over the past four decades, from $2.9 billion to $30.9 billion. Cumulative mutual investment has reached $30.3 billion, including $7.8 billion over the past five years.
In batteries, Han pointed to Korean manufacturers' production bases in Poland and Hungary, which account for roughly three-quarters of Europe's battery cell production capacity and play a key role in Germany's transition to electric vehicles.
She also highlighted growing semiconductor cooperation, citing German optics giant Zeiss opening its first global innovation center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, in July.
Han identified industrial AI as another priority, calling for closer integration of the two countries' manufacturing expertise and industrial data to improve productivity, quality and energy efficiency.
Citing Korea's M.AX Alliance and Germany's Industrie 4.0 and Manufacturing-X initiatives, she said joint efforts could accelerate manufacturing innovation and help establish new global standards in the artificial intelligence era.
The prime minister also welcomed the upgraded enhanced strategic partnership forged at the countries' bilateral summit Thursday and the economic and high-tech partnership framework signed Friday, urging broader cooperation in advanced technologies, resilient supply chains and the energy transition.
“We particularly look forward to broadening joint research in critical future industries, including AI, quantum computing, biotechnology and space, to explore new opportunities for innovation and growth together,” Han said.
She pledged stronger government support to help Korean and German businesses expand their presence across the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
hyejin2@heraldcorp.com
