South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (L) shaking hands with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (R) during their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Singapore, 02 March 2026. Lee is in Singapore on an official visit Photo by Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) / EPA
March 2 (Asia Today) — Lee Jae-myung and Lawrence Wong agreed Monday to pursue an artificial intelligence cooperation framework and upgrade bilateral trade ties, as the two countries seek to expand collaboration in advanced technology and energy.
During a summit in Singapore, the leaders committed to making AI a central pillar of economic cooperation and to launching negotiations to upgrade the existing free trade agreement.
According to the presidential office, the proposed AI Cooperation Framework would promote joint research, investment and industrial innovation, including the development of so-called physical AI applications and the broader use of AI in everyday life.
The two sides signed five memorandums of understanding covering science and technology cooperation, AI and digital technology in public safety, intellectual property cooperation, joint use of environmental satellites and collaboration on small modular reactors, or SMRs.
They also agreed to begin talks to modernize the free trade agreement, focusing on supply chains, the green economy, trade facilitation and aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services.
Under the agreements, the countries plan to expand policy coordination and personnel exchanges in areas such as quantum technology, SMRs and space and satellite development. They also pledged to share information on AI policy in public safety and support promising companies in related sectors.
In a joint press statement, Lee said he hoped to “further solidify existing cooperation in trade, investment and infrastructure” while expanding collaboration into “future-oriented sectors such as AI, nuclear energy and advanced science and technology.”
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260303010000385