On 4–5 September 2025, representatives from the Swedish Research Council and the Ministry of Education visited South Korea to participate in the 4th Sweden–Korea Joint Committee Meeting on Science and Technology, held in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT of the Republic of Korea.
While the visit primarily served to deepen bilateral cooperation in research and innovation, it also provided an opportunity to spotlight the Polar Connect Initiative. A key moment was a high-level roundtable discussion in Seoul, where the Polar Connect Initiative was presented as a strategic enabler of international collaboration, digital infrastructure, and inter-continental connectivity.
Accelerating Digital Infrastructure Between the EU and Korea
The round-table discussion in Korea was hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul and the Swedish Research Council, bringing together key stakeholders to explore new avenues for digital collaboration, with particular focus on advancing strategic digital infrastructure, including Arctic connectivity.
The dialogue focused on the strategic potential of Polar Connect to provide higher capacity, lower latency, and greater network resilience.
Topics discussed included:
- The strategic importance of the Polar Connect Initiative for secure digital connectivity, as highlighted within EU-Korea Digital Partnership
- The Arctic route as a unique opportunity to diversify global connectivity
- The alignment of Polar Connect with Europe’s sustainability goals
- The importance of aligning Polar Connect with Korea’s national digital strategies
- Korea’s growing demand for secure, high-speed connectivity and its strategic position in global digital innovation
- Potential landing sites in Korea
- Broader opportunities for bilateral collaboration in science, technology, and sustainability, positioning both regions as leaders in digital infrastructure and green innovation.
A Constructive Exchange and the Road Ahead
With this round-table the Polar Connect representatives continued a meaningful dialogue with Korean counterparts. The Initiative is seen as a catalyst for international trade, research collaboration, and digital cooperation.
Strengthening digital infrastructure between the regions is not only a gateway to innovation, knowledge sharing, and economic growth – it also lays the foundation for long-term impact and mutual benefit. Further plans include technical evaluations, together with the assessment of upcoming opportunities and implementation steps of the Polar Connect Initiative.
