South Korea is the OECD country that invests the most in research and development and is thus a strong partner for Denmark and a significant global player in a wide range of areas. Both South Korea and Denmark have ambitious green energy plans. This creates good synergy opportunities between Danish and Korean authorities, research institutions and companies. In 2012, the Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science (UFM) entered into a bilateral agreement with the then Korean Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (now Ministry of Science and ICT). The agreement is part of the overall Danish-Korean strategic partnership and has paved the way for student exchanges, joint research projects, reciprocal research visits, scientific workshops and conferences between the two countries. UFM also has an Innovation Centre in Seoul, which facilitates access to local knowledge and networks.
South Korea can participate in selected parts of the Horizon Europe programme. UFM, Innovation Fund Denmark and the Korean Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) also cooperate under the framework of EUREKA. Innovation Fund Denmark has a cooperation agreement with KIAT, which provides grants for business-oriented research and development projects for SMEs and universities.
UFM is currently working on two additional agreements with the South Korean government.