South Korea and the Netherlands held their inaugural high-level dialogue with foreign affairs and trade ministers in Seoul on February 11, 2026, reaffirming their commitment to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, economic security, artificial intelligence (AI), and other areas amid heightened global tensions. The ministers issued a joint statement emphasizing the need to strengthen their strategic partnership in the face of increasing geoeconomic tensions and rapid technological advancements. Building on the 2022 strategic partnership, they agreed to expand collaboration in semiconductors, quantum technologies, and critical mineral supply chains.
On February 11, 2026, South Korea and the Netherlands convened the first 2+2 Foreign and Industry High-Level Dialogue in Seoul, attended by Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo from South Korea, alongside their Dutch counterparts David van Weel and Aukje de Vries. This meeting builds on the strategic partnership established in 2022, amid rising geoeconomic tensions and swift advancements in new technologies, focusing on cooperation in trade, economic security, the responsible use of AI in the military domain, semiconductors, and critical mineral supply chains.
The joint statement affirmed that exchanges on supply-chain monitoring methods represent a constructive step toward bolstering both countries' economic security, with plans to expand these initiatives and proactively identify new areas of cooperation, including in trade. The ministers underscored the importance of a 'safe and human-centric' approach to the responsible use of AI in military applications, referencing the REAIM summit co-hosted by the two nations last year.
Building on existing collaborations, the sides agreed to explore mutual investment opportunities in advanced technology ecosystems and advance joint research and development (R&D) projects in semiconductors and quantum technologies. They also committed to identifying new cooperation areas in economic security, cybersecurity, responsible AI, and critical mineral supply chains. The second round of the dialogue is scheduled for The Hague in 2028.
This meeting highlights efforts to strengthen ties in semiconductors and quantum technologies amid shifting global supply chains, serving as a key platform for stable economic cooperation in an era of international tensions, according to Seoul officials.
