Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a “new momentum of co-operation” between Qatar and Korea, deepening their ties focused on shared advancement in AI research, infrastructure, and talent development, South Korean ambassador Hyunsoo Yun has said.

Speaking at the Korea – Qatar AI Forum at Mandarin Oriental Doha yesterday, the envoy said: “Today is just a start to share experiences and know-hows, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

“Under the bilateral framework of the strategic partnership, our co-operation is expanding far beyond traditional sectors into security and cybersecurity, healthcare, common response to global threats like climate change and energy diversification, such as scale-up renewable energy, and last but not the least, digital technology and AI”.

The forum, organised by the Korean Embassy in Doha in partnership with Qatar's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), and supported by Kotra, brought together key stakeholders from both nations to explore the transformative potential of AI.

Qatar’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology HE Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed al-Mannai and MCIT’s Digital Industry Affairs Assistant Undersecretary HE Reem al-Mansoori attended the event.

Building on a foundation of more than 50 years of trust, Yun spotlighted recent discussions between the leaders of Qatar and Korea in July, which addressed co-operation in AI and advanced industries.

South Korea, Yun said, is well-prepared for the AI era and is actively striving to be a global leader in the field, while also ensuring the universal and inclusive enjoyment of AI benefits. He cited South Korea’s institutional readiness, including the recent establishment of a National AI Strategy Committee, chaired by the President, and its AI Basic Act, which provides a comprehensive framework for safe and trusted AI.

He added that the South Korean government has committed to investing more than $70bn by 2030, prioritising infrastructure, industrial development in semiconductors and cloud computing, and nurturing AI research talent. This includes the development of a National AI Computing Centre equipped with tens of thousands of GPUs to power future AI research and applications.

Hundreds of Korean startups are already developing AI solutions across healthcare, education, and logistics, with major companies like Samsung and LG making substantial investments in AI semiconductors and platforms, according to the envoy.

He said South Korea’s dedication to research and development is substantial, with nearly five percent of its GDP allocated to research and development, supported by world-class universities and institutes such as Kaist and Etri, serving as strong testbeds for AI technologies.

Yun said South Korea is an “optimal partner” for Qatar, stressing that the proven readiness of both nations can unlock unprecedented opportunities. He said South Korea brings advanced technology, research capacity, and industrial expertise, while Qatar offers vision, resources, and a strong drive for transformation. This alignment, he said, can create “opportunities unimagined in the past”.

Seven leading Korean AI companies and a number of Qatari businesses were also present, representing the key players who will drive real-world AI co-operation across various sectors such as education, transport, communications, energy, and finance.

Byung Ho Kim, regional president of Kotra Mena head office, acknowledged Qatar’s strides in establishing the National AI Centre and advancing its Digital Agenda 2030, while reiterating South Korea’s ambition to be a top three AI leader.

Kim vowed Kotra’s continued role as a bridge connecting governments and companies between the two countries, supporting the expansion of AI-powered services and the opening of new markets together.