The president of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, has urged the Government of the United States this Saturday to take the relationship between both countries "beyond" their traditional alliance, betting on strengthening cooperation in technology, innovation, and support for startups.
During a meeting with investors held in Silicon Valley, the global epicenter of technological innovation in the southwestern United States, Lee emphasized that "South Korea and the United States must expand the scope of their cooperation beyond the long-standing security alliance to include technology, innovation, and startups."
The South Korean leader stressed that a closer alliance between U.S. venture capital and South Korea's technological and manufacturing capabilities would allow for the emergence of "new world-class innovators" that would set the pace of the global market, standing alongside industry leaders in the semiconductor sector such as 'Samsung Electronics' and 'SK hynix.'
In this vein, Lee has argued that the combination of the South Korean startup ecosystem with the U.S. market, along with greater integration of U.S. investors into South Korea's talent and innovation framework, would consolidate both countries as "partners in innovation" capable of shaping the next three decades.
The president has also committed to promoting a reform of the visa system with the aim of attracting international talent to the startup sector, in addition to strengthening ties between companies, research centers, and investors both domestic and foreign.
Lee has insisted that the alliance between South Korean innovation and U.S. venture capital would open "new growth opportunities," describing this collaboration as "the most successful innovation model." In line with this vision, he has promised to support the international projection of startups by connecting them with public and private investment funds.
The South Korean head of state continues his summer tour, during which he plans to travel to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile in the coming days, after having opted not to take a vacation.