Chey Tae-won, chairman of SK Group, is set to establish a permanent cooperation platform called 'Big Tent' involving the economic, academic, and research sectors of Korea and Japan. This initiative aims to transform the Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation from a conceptual framework into concrete industrial collaboration and policy actions.
On November 12, the Choi Jong-hyun Academy and the East Asia Institute jointly held the 'Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation Roadmap Conference: From Vision to Execution' at the Korea Higher Education Foundation Conference Hall in Gangnam, Seoul. The event, which included participation from the Modern Japan Society and Japan's Nakasone Peace Institute (NPI), discussed the medium- to long-term development direction and specific execution plans for Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation.
In a video keynote address, Chey announced the preparation of a 'Big Tent' permanent cooperation platform to continuously promote Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation. The platform aims to consolidate the capabilities of various stakeholders in both countries to share existing cooperation achievements and identify new joint projects.
Chey emphasized the need to develop the vision of Korea-Japan Economic Cooperation into specific execution strategies. He proposed a phased approach to clarify the level of economic cooperation to be achieved in three years, the industries expected to generate joint results in five years, and the tangible benefits for businesses and citizens to be realized in ten years.
'If the roadmap indicates the path we should take, the platform will serve as the foundation for gathering the strength to walk that path together,' Chey stated, stressing the importance of uniting the capabilities of cooperation stakeholders.
During the conference, researchers from both countries presented three main pillars of cooperation: 'Alliance for Survival' focusing on economic security and supply chain collaboration, 'Alliance for Innovation' aimed at advanced technology and industrial innovation, and 'Alliance for Attraction' through cultural and human exchanges. They highlighted the need for joint responses to common challenges faced by both nations, including energy and critical mineral procurement, as well as issues related to aging populations and regional decline.
Professor Son Yeol from Yonsei University noted that both countries are facing structural challenges such as declining economic status and population decrease, proposing a three-phase economic cooperation roadmap spanning from 2026 to 2045.
Specific industrial cooperation strategies were also discussed. Professor Fukagawa Yukiko from Waseda University in Japan emphasized the need to expand cooperation from manufacturing to the service, finance, and digital sectors. She proposed a collaborative model where data centers in both countries provide mutual backup functions during crises.
Professor Terada Takashi from Doshisha University in Japan stated that institutional foundations must be established to ensure economic cooperation continues despite changes in government or diplomatic conflicts. He suggested forming a 'Korea-Japan Economic 3+3 Consultative Body' involving the foreign, industry, and finance authorities of both countries.
In the fields of AI and semiconductors, collaboration strategies that combine the technological strengths of both nations were discussed. Professor Chishima Tomonobu from Hanazono University in Japan proposed jointly developing energy-efficient AI semiconductors by combining Japan's semiconductor materials and equipment technology with Korea's mass production capabilities, as well as establishing testing and evaluation standards.
Professor Lee Ji-pyeong from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies emphasized that enhancing industrial robots operating in both countries' manufacturing sites with AI and digital technologies represents a realistic task for physical AI collaboration.
There were also suggestions to expand the scope of economic cooperation to include culture and local economies. Professor Kim Hang from Yonsei University proposed an 'Art Tourism' cooperation model connecting regions in both countries experiencing population decline.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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