ROK-UK partnership on building capacity in digital and critical technologies standards

Abstract

As global competition over digital and Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs) intensifies, standardisation has become a central pillar of this rivalry. The Republic of Korea (ROK) and the United Kingdom (UK) view standardisation not only as a means of promoting innovation and market expansion, but also as a key component of their national strategies for both security and technology. Building on bilateral frameworks such as the Downing Street Accord and the Digital Partnership, this project aims to identify shared interests, increase coordination in international Standards Development Organisations (SDOs), and build sustainable mechanisms for collaboration at the technical and policy levels. The project focuses on three technologies: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum, and Semiconductors. These areas are selected based on their strategic importance and potential for joint leadership in standardisation efforts.