Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 |
On March 2, the second day of his four-day trip to Singapore and the Philippines, President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and attended the AI Connect Summit. Artificial intelligence cooperation was a central theme at both events.
According to Cheong Wa Dae, the summit began just after 10 a.m. Singapore time and ran 80 minutes—20 minutes over schedule—reflecting the depth of the discussions. One joint declaration and five MOUs were signed immediately afterward to formalize the agreed cooperation items.
The two leaders then continued their conversation over a private luncheon attended only by them and their wives. Later in the afternoon, both couples joined AI leaders from Korea and Singapore at the AI Connect Summit. President Lee framed the bilateral moment in broad terms, saying, "We are now in the midst of a massive civilizational transformation driven by AI. Amid these waves of change, it is inevitable that Korea and Singapore—both of which possess world-class AI capabilities—join hands." Korea also announced plans to establish a global investment fund in Singapore by 2030, targeting $300 million in startup and AI sector investments. The day concluded with a state dinner at the Capella Hotel, the same venue as the 2018 North Korea–U.S. summit.
Beyond trade and technology, the two leaders agreed their nations can serve as reliable strategic partners in an era of heightened uncertainty. Discussions ranged across politics, diplomacy, economy, and security, while also touching on shared domestic challenges—housing, low birth rates, demographic shifts, and policy responses to AI-driven change. They further exchanged views on the role Korea and Singapore, as responsible middle powers, can play in promoting international peace and stability, including on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, where both leaders expressed hope for a swift restoration of stability and its implications for global energy and supply chains.
The Presidential Office noted that despite unsettled international conditions, the government remains fully prepared across the real economy, finance, and national security, with an emergency response system in place.
