Seoul: Major business associations in South Korea and Japan released Wednesday a joint statement calling for stronger industrial cooperation between the two countries in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). The Joint Proposal for AI Era Cooperation between Korea and Japan was issued by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) and Japan Association of Corporate Executives, or Keizai Doyukai.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the proposal reflects the results of four rounds of bilateral economic roundtables held over the past two years. The proposal was also made as South Korean President Lee Jae Myung was visiting Japan for summit talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, where the two leaders agreed to launch working-level consultations on AI and intellectual property rights.

In the joint proposal, KITA and Keizai Doyukai welcomed the two governments' commitment to strengthening future-oriented cooperation amid global uncertainties stemming from supply chain instability and geopolitical risks. They proposed three objectives for industrial cooperation between Seoul and Japan: development of autonomous industrial infrastructure for the AI era, focus on social challenges in both countries, particularly nurturing strengths in the health care sector, and expanding these initiatives to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

In detail, the two sides called for collaboration in data center and power management, technology research, and data sharing. "KITA and Keizai Doyukai recognize that the rapid advancement of AI, demographic change and evolving social needs present common challenges and new opportunities for both Korea and Japan," the statement read.

"Through this joint proposal, KITA and Keizai Doyukai reaffirm their strong commitment to advancing a forward-looking Korea-Japan partnership that promotes innovation, supports sustainable prosperity, and enhances the shared economic future of the Asia-Pacific region," it added.