Singapore and South Korea will deepen cooperation in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, as both countries move to anchor their newly elevated Strategic Partnership in frontier technologies and the digital economy.
Speaking at a joint press conference with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday, Singapore’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said the two sides had made “considerable progress” in implementing their upgraded ties, including new agreements in high-value and emerging sectors.
The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in AI and work towards a bilateral framework covering specific areas of AI collaboration.
Agencies from both sides will also step up cybersecurity cooperation to ensure digital growth takes place in a “safe and trusted manner”.
The tech push comes as both economies adapt to a shifting global landscape marked by supply chain disruptions, the green transition and rapid digitalization.
Wong said Singapore and South Korea had agreed to upgrade the Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which entered into force in 2006, to ensure it remains forward-looking and relevant.
It is noted that over the past two decades, global trade has evolved to place greater emphasis on supply chain resilience, digital trade and sustainability.
The refreshed FTA is expected to better support businesses operating in data-driven and technology-intensive sectors.
Beyond bilateral ties, both countries reaffirmed support for open trade and digital connectivity through wider frameworks such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).
Singapore also looks forward to starting negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area.
It is also noted that economic links between the two countries have strengthened in recent years, with technology and innovation playing a growing role.
Singapore’s investments in South Korea have more than doubled since 2020, while Korean investments into Singapore have also risen steadily.
Major Singapore companies such as PSA International, Singapore Airlines and CapitaLand are deepening partnerships with Korean counterparts across logistics, aviation and real estate, sectors undergoing digital transformation.
On the Korean side, firms including Hyundai Motor Company, Lotte Group and Hanwha Ocean are expanding their presence in Singapore, increasingly using the city-state as a regional hub to access Southeast Asian markets.
Wong said new memoranda of understanding signed during the visit would facilitate joint research and talent exchanges in advanced manufacturing and other high-value sectors, helping both countries remain competitive amid intensifying global competition.
Meanwhile, technology cooperation will extend beyond commercial partnerships to structured government-to-government collaboration.
The two leaders agreed to work closely on AI, including exploring a bilateral framework to guide cooperation in targeted areas.
While details were not disclosed, the focus is expected to include research collaboration, talent development and applied AI solutions for industry.
Advanced manufacturing was also highlighted as a priority area.
Both Singapore and South Korea have strong industrial bases and are investing heavily in automation, robotics and smart manufacturing systems.
Joint research and talent exchanges are aimed at accelerating innovation cycles and strengthening supply chain resilience.
In addition, agencies from both sides will bolster cybersecurity cooperation.
As digital integration deepens across sectors such as finance, logistics and manufacturing, safeguarding critical systems and data flows is seen as essential to sustaining trust and economic growth.
The partnership will also extend to clean energy technologies.
Singapore is studying nuclear energy as a potential component of its longer-term energy mix and hopes to learn from South Korea’s expertise.
The two countries have commenced negotiations on a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, which would provide a framework for collaboration in civil nuclear safety and technology.
While Wong stressed that Singapore’s energy options remain under study, he said securing sustainable and reliable clean energy sources would be critical for both nations as they pursue decarbonization.
To support deeper cooperation in emerging sectors, Singapore will host the inaugural Singapura Program later this year, a bespoke initiative for senior South Korean officials to exchange policy experiences and best practices.
A broader Civil Service Exchange Program is planned for next year to promote two-way interactions and institutional linkages, including in areas such as digital governance and innovation policy.
Wong said that in an “increasingly complex and dangerous world”, trusted and like-minded partners were more important than ever.
By anchoring their Strategic Partnership in advanced manufacturing, AI, cybersecurity and clean energy technologies, Singapore and South Korea aim to position themselves at the forefront of the digital and green transformations reshaping the global economy.
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