Park In-kyu, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau at the Ministry of Science and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), has announced plans to expand joint research initiatives and personnel exchanges between the U.S. and South Korea in strategic technology sectors, including artificial intelligence (AI), space exploration, and quantum technology.
The Ministry reported on August 9 that Park attended the 2026 U.S.-Korea Conference on Science and Technology (UKC 2026) in Orlando. During the event, he engaged in discussions with Korean-American scientists about enhancing bilateral cooperation and driving innovation in science and technology.
UKC is an annual event organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association. It serves as a platform for fostering personal connections, facilitating academic discourse, and sharing information among scientists from both nations. This year’s conference, held from August 5 to 8, centered on the theme From Imagination to Innovation, and into Reality, featuring eight technical sessions and seven special sessions.
In his opening address, Park underscored the vital role played by Korean-American scientists in bridging scientific cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea. He pledged government support to establish UKC as a cornerstone for building trust and promoting exchanges among scientists from both countries.
The AI and Space Signature Forum, along with the Quantum-AI Applications Forum, emphasized the critical need for international collaboration in addressing technological shifts, such as the New Space movement and the AI revolution. Participants stressed the importance of strengthening U.S.-South Korea partnerships in AI, space, and quantum fields.
At the Science Policy and Diplomacy Forum, discussions highlighted AI’s emergence as a transformative tool in basic scientific research methodologies. The Ministry announced its efforts to expand public access to research data and its commitment to fostering joint research projects and personnel exchanges between the U.S. and South Korea in AI-driven basic science research.
By compiling and sharing research data in AI-compatible formats, scientists can harness AI capabilities to analyze vast datasets and identify promising research avenues without manually reviewing each hypothesis.
On August 7, Park toured the Kennedy Space Center, examining facilities related to space exploration. He received briefings on U.S. space exploration programs, including the Artemis program, in which South Korea is a participant.
During his visit, Park explained that the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau is tasked with planning and coordinating cross-ministerial science and technology policies. He also noted the bureau’s ongoing policy collaboration with the Aerospace Administration.
Park further revealed that aerospace and marine sectors are classified as national strategic technologies. He outlined the government’s support for developing reusable launch vehicles, satellite systems, payloads, and space exploration technologies.