Seoul (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – South Korean Ministry of Science has announced that the country has become the first Asian nation to join Horizon Europe.
According to the ministry, South Korea will be employed in Pillar II of the R&I initiative, guided by the European Union, which concentrates on leading joint research to address global challenges and support industrial competitiveness.
By joining, Korean researchers will be authorised to take part in the Pillar II work program, to be revealed in the first half of the year, with equal standing to European researchers and apply for research grants from Horizon Europe. South Korea will also be permitted to join the initiative’s program panel as an observer.
How will South Korea benefit from joining Horizon Europe?
Science Minister Yoo Sang-im stated in a press release:
“Joining Horizon Europe as an associated member will be a crucial opportunity to support research collaboration with Europe, a progressive leader in science and technology.”
According to the Ministry of Science the nation officially joined as an associated partner on Jan. 1, becoming the first Asian and the third nation from outside Europe to join the program.
Cooperation with the European Union has increased manifold over time between South Korea and the European Union. This cooperation has come in a variety of agreements and initiatives to enhance closer cooperation in many fields. It is considered the closest international partner of the EU because of the Strategic Partnership and Framework Agreement signed in 2010, followed by an FTA in 2011.
What is Horizon Europe?
Horizon Europe is the leading framework program on research and innovation of the European Union between 2021 to 2027. It covers an overall budget of €95.5 billion. It follows after Horizon 2020 and will, for the second successive time, further deepen the global scientific and technological supremacy of Europe again while addressing key challenges facing European society.
These include the three big pillars of the program: excellent science, which would fund top-of-the-line research; global challenges and European industrial competitiveness, or innovative performance in key sectors; and innovative Europe, which involved a European Innovation Council to back breakthrough innovations. Five specific missions have been identified by Horizon Europe, addressing the most pressing problems: adaptation to climate change, cancer prevention, restoration of oceans and waters, climate-neutral cities, and healthy soils for sustainable food.
