South Korea Becomes Part of Horizon Europe: A Strategic Leap in Global Research Collaboration
Seoul/Brussels, July 2025 – In a defining moment for international scientific partnerships, South Korea has formally become a participating member of Horizon Europe, the European Union’s premier research and innovation program. This development marks a major milestone in expanding cross-continental collaboration and underscores a growing global consensus on the need for unified scientific advancement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the development, describing it as “a great step for science and a greater step for global partnership.” Horizon Europe, already the largest publicly funded research program in the world, is poised for expansion with budgetary proposals aimed at doubling its current size, and South Korea’s inclusion signals deeper ties between Europe and Asia’s technological frontrunner.
Through this partnership, South Korea gains access to EU-funded research consortia, cutting-edge projects, and collaboration opportunities across critical areas such as climate resilience, AI, digital transformation, clean energy, and healthcare innovation. Simultaneously, the EU benefits from South Korea’s dynamic innovation ecosystem, advanced technology platforms, and strong R&D sector.
The agreement allows Korean scientists, startups, universities, and research organizations to apply for Horizon Europe funding on equal terms with their European counterparts. This not only strengthens bilateral innovation output but also boosts the global competitiveness of both partners.
Beyond science and technology, this alliance reflects a broader geopolitical strategy—building resilient, knowledge-driven economies while jointly addressing complex global challenges like climate change, pandemics, and cybersecurity threats.
This association comes at a time when international cooperation in science is more essential than ever. The integration of South Korea into Horizon Europe paves the way for impactful discoveries and shared prosperity, emphasizing that the future of innovation lies in open borders, shared goals, and united efforts.
