The Republic of Korea and Singapore have launched a new framework for cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), marking a significant step toward deeper collaboration in research, investment and startup development.
 
The initiative was announced by Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startup (MSS) and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) during the Korea-Singapore AI Connect Summit, held at the Shangri-La Singapore as part of President Lee Jae Myung’s state visit.
 
The partnership reflects a shared ambition to strengthen national AI capabilities and expand cross-border innovation between the two countries’ research communities, industries and startup ecosystems.
 
Korea and Singapore are widely regarded as among the most advanced AI ecosystems outside the United States and China. Both governments have recently reinforced their national strategies to accelerate AI development – Korea through its AI Action Plan announced in February 2026, and Singapore through its National AI Strategy 2.0 (2024-2029).
 
Building on these policy efforts, the two countries are now broadening cooperation across research, investment and industry engagement to strengthen their position in the global AI landscape.
 
Joint Research and AI Innovation
 
As part of this initiative, MSIT will launch a KRW 50 billion international joint research program in AI and digital technologies beginning in 2027. The program will run for five years, with Singapore identified as a priority partner.
 
To support this effort, Korea’s Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) and Singapore’s AI Singapore (AISG) will work together this year to develop joint research agendas designed to maximize the complementary strengths of both ecosystems.
 
The two governments are also moving forward with the establishment of the Korea-Singapore AI Alliance, a strategic platform connecting public institutions, industry associations, universities and private companies from both countries.
 
The alliance will support practical cooperation in several areas:
 
Public-Sector Innovation
 

• Linking programs that apply AI and emerging technologies to public safety and government innovation

 
Industrial Collaboration
 

• Expanding the adoption of AI technologies across industries while promoting cross-border investment, market access and startup exchange

 
Research and Talent Mobility
 

• Encouraging exchanges of advanced AI researchers and pursuing joint research on next-generation AI technologies, including addressing shared societal challenges

 
Singapore-Based Global Venture Investment Platform
MSS also announced plans to establish Korea’s first overseas global fund-of-funds in Singapore in the second half of 2026, with a target size of USD 300 million by 2030.
 
The fund will serve as a regional venture investment platform, focusing primarily on AI and deep-tech startups in Korea and Singapore while helping connect global investors with high-growth companies across Asia.
 
Seven Agreements Signed to Expand AI Collaboration
 
Seven memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed during the summit between universities, public institutions and companies from both countries to advance cooperation in AI research, infrastructure and industrial applications.
 
The agreements include:
 

• A research partnership between KAIST AI Graduate School and the National University of Singapore School of Computing
• Autonomous driving collaboration between Korean startup Autonomous A2Z and Singaporean partners NCS, SMRT, and Tong Tar
• AI high-performance computing and industrial AI platform cooperation between Lablup and PTCsys
• Joint initiatives in AI research, education and industrial deployment between Lablup and Knovel Engineering
• Collaboration on AI applications for public safety between Korea’s National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) and Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX)

 
These partnerships are expected to accelerate joint technology development while strengthening industrial cooperation in areas such as mobility, digital infrastructure and public safety.
 
Ministerial Remarks
 
Bae Kyung Hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, highlighted Singapore’s strengthens as a partner for international AI collaboration.
 
“Singapore offers one of the world’s most advanced environments for AI research and investment,” he said. “By combining the strengths of our talent, companies and technologies, Korea and Singapore can deepen cooperation and create new opportunities for innovation.”
 
Han Seong Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, emphasized Singapore’s role as a gateway for Korean startups expanding globally.
 
“As a global financial hub, Singapore provides an ideal platform for Korean startups seeking to scale internationally,” she said. “By strengthening venture partnerships and building new investment platforms, we aim to help startups and investors from both countries expand their global reach.”
 
 
 

For more news and updates on Korea’s SME and startup policies, follow the Ministry’s official LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mss1357 For visual stories, follow us on Instagram: @mss_int https://www.instagram.com/mss_int