Korea

Germany and South Korea are linked by a vibrant scientific partnership, ranging from basic research to technological development. The Leopoldina and KAST have worked together for many years to further strengthen exchange between the scientific communities of both countries.

The partnership is based on a cooperation agreement concluded in 2012. In addition, KAST serves as an important link to the wider Asian region, as the academy hosts the secretariat of the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA).

A central element of the cooperation is a series of joint specialist symposia held alternately in Germany and Korea. Through these, the two academies address current scientific and societal issues, ranging from stem cell research, assistive robotics and artificial intelligence to the energy transition.

The Leopoldina and KAST also work together in international policy advice, for example through statements for the G20 summits. In 2025, the Leopoldina and KAST also published their first joint science-for-policy paper, setting out proposals for deepening bilateral cooperation on energy issues. In Germany, the participating researchers presented the recommendations at a round table in Berlin and discussed them directly with representatives from politics and research funding, including the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the German Research Foundation (DFG).