Korea and China should pursue greater collaboration in emerging technologies in spite of increasing competition and deteriorating global divisions, experts stated contending that no nation can lead the next phase of innovation by itself.
The comments were made at the Gather in Shenzhen forum at Hanyang University in Seoul, which is part of a three-day event put together by Shenzhen Media Group in anticipation of this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Shenzhen.
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During a session focused on technological innovation, Lee Hee-ok, emeritus dean of the Sungkyun Institute of China Studies, stated that Korea's goal of becoming one of the leading three powers in artificial intelligence (AI) would necessitate strategic investments and global partnerships.
"Every country today is moving within a similar framework of competition," Lee pointed out. "No country can win in every field."
Rather, Korea ought to aim to be a "strategic linchpin" — guaranteeing that the worldwide technology ecosystem relies on Korean expertise, he states.
Lee mentioned that Korea excels in memory semiconductors and precision manufacturing, but its shortcomings are a relatively small domestic market, restricted AI models, and an innovation ecosystem that is still largely controlled by major conglomerates.
China, in turn, takes advantage of the so-called “China speed” — an extensive talent pool, a sizable domestic market, rapid commercialization of technologies, and a society that acts as "a massive testing ground" for innovation, Lee notes.
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"The strengths and weaknesses of Korea and China are complementary," he says. "Combining Korea's strengths with China's market scale and manufacturing capabilities is at the core of bilateral cooperation."
According to Lee, possible collaboration areas encompass fundamental scientific research, startups, carbon neutrality, and healthcare solutions for aging populations.
"Regional cooperation, especially cooperation between countries, has become an inevitable choice," Guo says.
Guo Rui, deputy director of international politics at Jilin University, noted that the time when one nation monopolized technological advancement has concluded, as contemporary innovation increasingly depends on interconnected systems that encompass value, industrial, and supply chains.
He stated that AI, green transition, and digital technologies necessitate international cooperation, since no nation can dominate all the resources essential for technological advancement.
The forum is a component of a broader initiative designed to enhance interactions between China and Korea, simultaneously generating momentum for the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, set to take place in Shenzhen in November, centered on themes of openness, innovation, and collaboration. It merges scholarly debates with a display featuring technologies produced in Shenzhen, including AI interpreter earbuds, augmented reality glasses, and wearable robotics.
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Participants addressed issues hindering future collaboration, such as data governance, varying technical standards, and intellectual property protection, while underscoring the importance of dialogue despite geopolitical tensions.