[Coming soon] Digital Solutions Korea 2026

Thanks to Digital Solutions Korea 2026, 50 European SMEs including start-ups will visit the Republic of Korea and kick-start their internationalisation path in the Digital Solutions sector.

This business mission presents a unique opportunity for EU SMEs to establish valuable contacts, showcase their solutions, build long-lasting relationships with Korean enterprises and explore new business avenues together. The EU Business Hub provides market insights, matchmaking services, financial and tailored support to companies.

Target audience 

• European SMEs including start-ups and enterprises in the Republic of Korea involved in the Digital Solutions sector, such as: sustainable semiconductor manufacturing technologies, semiconductor materials and equipment, AI, advanced packaging, etc.
• Business operators in the Republic of Korea, notably buyers, distributors and R&D partners in public and private sectors, and investors.

Overview of the business mission

The business mission to Seoul will last five days in total, including three days of dedicated business matchmaking and networking; a visit to SEMICON Korea for further business opportunities, as well as a study tour.

The business mission agenda is as follows:

• Day 1: Arrival in Seoul, welcome & networking reception.
• Day 2: Briefing session with sectoral experts and a study tour.
• Day 3: Business matchmaking sessions. 
• Day 4: Business matchmaking sessions and networking at Semicon Korea.

• Day 5: Last day of business matchmaking sessions and, debriefing session.

   

Services/benefits the EU participants will be receiving

• Business matchmaking resulting in pre-arranged in-person meetings with carefully selected enterprises in the Republic of Korea.
• Market intelligence information including sectoral briefings providing valuable insights on market structure and potential opportunities.
• Cultural and linguistic support such as briefings on doing business in Korea, and support for interpretation and translation.
• Financial support up to €1000 to benefit from a menu of additional customised services co-funded by the project (e.g. translation, printing, legal advice, booth decoration).
• Hotel accommodation for four nights – in total, up to €1000 for accommodation is covered by the programme.
• Coverage of the visitor fee for Semicon Korea. 

Key market insights

Participating to Digital Solutions Korea 2026 represents a unique opportunity for European SMEs and start-ups because:

• The Republic of Korea is Asia’s 4^th and the World’s 12economy.[1]
• EU exports to the Republic of Korea in 2023 amounted to €57.8 billion in goods and €18.7 billion in service.[2]
• The Republic of Korea represents the EU’s 8^th largest trading partner for goods.[3]
• The Republic of Korea is a digital powerhouse: ranking 1st worldwide for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and mobile internet connectivity, 2nd for e-commerce ratio, 3rd for cybersecurity, 4th for ICT exports, 10th for government AI readiness. [4]
• The Republic of Korea ranks 1^st in the OECD Digital Government Index. [5]
• In 2024, the ICT industry accounted for 23.8% of Korea’s GDP and led the country’s economic growth, as it represented approximately 34% of total exports. [6]
• The Ministry of Science and ICT listed 12 National Strategic Technologies as strategic areas in its Science and Technology Master Plan (2023- 2027) including semiconductor and display, secondary battery, advanced mobility, hydrogen, cybersecurity, AI, etc. [7]

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[1] Source: Trade Fact File 2024 EU-Korea Trade and Investment Relations, European Union. (Internal document)

[2] Source: Trade Fact File 2024 EU-Korea Trade and Investment Relations, European Union. (Internal document)

[3] Source: EU trade relations with South Korea, European Commission 

[4] Source: 1st Master Plan for Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth, 2050 Carbon Neutrality of the Republic of Korea

[5] Source: Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea (Amount converted to Euro)

[6] Source: KISDI 2024, KISDI / Export Reports, Ministry of Science and ICT of Korea

[7] Source: “South Korea launches world’s first auction for clean hydrogen power generation”, Hydrogen insights