South Korea Becomes First Asian Nation to Join EU's Horizon Europe Research Program

A Landmark Agreement for Global Research

The Republic of Korea has officially become the first Asian country to associate with Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship €95.5 billion research and innovation framework program. The association agreement was formally signed on July 17, 2025, at the European Commission headquarters in Belgium. This significant step follows a transitional arrangement that allowed South Korean entities to participate in the program's calls from January 1, 2025.

The agreement was signed by Ambassador Ryu Jeonghyun for South Korea and Deputy Director General Signe Ratso of the European Commission's Directorate General for Research and Innovation. This partnership is set to foster deeper scientific and technological collaboration between Europe and Asia, addressing pressing global challenges.

Expanded Opportunities in Pillar II

South Korea's association primarily focuses on Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which is dedicated to 'Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.' This pillar, backed by a substantial budget of approximately €52.4 billion, aims to tackle shared global issues such as climate change, clean energy, digital innovation, and public health.

Under the terms of the agreement, South Korean researchers and organizations will gain full access to Pillar II, enabling them to:

• Lead and participate in international research consortia on equal footing with EU Member States.
• Secure funding directly from the Horizon Europe budget.
• Collaborate with leading research institutions across Europe.

This marks a significant shift, as previously, South Korean researchers could only participate as associated partners, often requiring separate domestic funding.

Statements from Key Officials and Strategic Importance

The conclusion of negotiations was announced on March 25, 2024, by Iliana Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, and Lee Jong-ho, South Korean Minister for Science and ICT. Commissioner Ivanova welcomed South Korea, stating, 'The challenges we face today, from climate change to digital transformation, are global in nature.' She added that the association 'brings together leading minds from Europe and Korea to drive progress and develop solutions that will benefit us all.'

Minister Lee Jong-ho emphasized that participating in Horizon Europe 'will open up greater opportunities for both Korea and the EU to enhance research competitiveness through joint research.' He also highlighted that this move aligns with South Korea's broader strategy to transition from a 'domestically reliant innovation system to an open one that proactively leverages technological resources worldwide.'

A Growing Global Network

South Korea joins a growing list of non-European countries associating with Horizon Europe, following New Zealand (2023) and Canada (2024). This expansion underscores the EU's commitment to building a global research community and strengthening ties with 'like-minded' third countries. The collaboration is expected to yield advancements in critical high-tech sectors, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and renewable energy.