XVI Korea-Spain Forum

24/03/2026 | Other cities | Activities > Geopolitics and current affairs

The 16th Korea-Spain Forum will bring together institutional leaders, academic experts, and business representatives from both countries in Seoul on March 24 and 25, 2026, to analyze the progress of the Korea-Spain Strategic Partnership and to identify new opportunities for collaboration in key areas such as global governance, higher education, smart cities, and the energy transition.

The Spain-Korea Forum constitutes a platform for dialogue and cooperation, and is organized by the Korea Foundation and Casa Asia, with the support of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and the embassies of both countries.

Following the official opening by Dr. Song Guido, president of the Korea Foundation, and José Pintor Aguilar, CEO Casa AsiaThe forum will develop four thematic sessions that will address the main challenges and opportunities of bilateral cooperation.

Strategic partnership, academic, economic and energy cooperation

The first session will address the 76 years of relations between Korea and Spain and the five years of their Strategic Partnership, analyzing how geopolitical changes and the evolution of multilateralism influence bilateral cooperation. The discussion will identify areas where coordination can be strengthened in international forums and consolidate the shared commitment to a rules-based global order.

The second session will highlight the growth of academic collaboration between the two countries, including joint research, student mobility, and dual degrees. It will also address new funding avenues, the promotion of youth exchanges, and the role of Korean culture in Spain as a driver of educational and cultural cooperation.

The panel on smart cities will explore how Spain and Korea can collaborate on the development of smart cities, combining their expertise in urban planning, sustainable mobility, and digital technologies. Opportunities in smart mobility, energy efficiency, and digital services will be highlighted, as well as the creation of pilot projects and technological partnerships.

The fourth and final session will address energy cooperation in areas such as solar, wind, green hydrogen, smart grids, and storage. It will highlight how Korea's technological strengths and Spain's experience in renewable energy can be combined to advance the green transition and strengthen energy security.

Before the closing session, a special session will be held on the role of Instituto Cervantes from Seoul.

The forum will conclude with a synthesis session and closing remarks by Dr. Guido Song, President of the Korea Foundation, and the Spanish Ambassador to Korea, Julio Herraiz España, who will highlight the next steps to consolidate and expand the Strategic Partnership in the coming years.

Programme

March 24.

Welcome words
Dr. Song Guido, president of the Korea Foundation
Sr. José Pintor Aguilar, managing Director, Casa Asia

Interventions:
Mr. Hyung Tae Lim, Director General for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea
Mr. Luis Fonseca, Director General for North America, Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Group photo

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. SESSION 1

The Korea-Spain Strategic Partnership in an era of geopolitical transformation: achievements and opportunities

Review of the 76 years of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain, and of the five years of Strategic Partnership, in the context of a changing international environment.

Chairs:
Mr. Seong-ho Sheen, dean of the Graduate School of International Studies, Seoul National University

Speakers:
Mr. Jae-Seung LeeJean Monnet Chair, Korea University
Mr. Ramón PachecoProfessor of International Relations, King's College; KF-VUB Korea Chair, Brussels School of Governance, VUB
Mrs. Inés Arco Escriche, researcher, CIDOB
Mr. Wonho Yeon, head of the Global Economic Security Group, Hyundai Motor Group

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – SESSION 2

Advancing scientific and university partnerships between Korea and Spain: strategic challenges and opportunities

Chairs:
Mr. Chul Park, former president of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Speakers:
Dr. Sunil KimVice Dean, Kyung Hee University
Sra. MarLuisa Ochoa Fernández, Education Advisor for China, Japan and Korea – Embassy of Spain
Dr. Matilde Olarte MartinezVice-Rector for Culture, Heritage, Sustainability and Campus, University of Salamanca
Mr. Ho Joon YimProfessor of Hispanic Language and Literature, Seoul National University
Dr. Chaejun Song, responsible, International Cooperation Team, National Research Council of Science & Technology

16.00 - 16.15 – Coffee break

4:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. SESSION 3 (parallel)

Korea-Spain economic cooperation in strategic industries of the future I: Smart Cities

Chairs:
Jordi EsplugaCDTI representative in Korea

Speakers:
Mrs. Suk Hee Kim, Director of Digital Policy, Seoul Metropolitan Government
Mr. Jordi Ortuño Ribé, Head of Smart City Projects, Barcelona City Council
Mr. Donyun Kim, Professor of Architecture and Global Smart City, Sung Kyun Kwan University
Mr. Sergi Saurí, director of CENIT and associate professor, UPC-BarcelonaTech

4:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. – SESSION 4 (parallel)

Next Generation Session

Moderation:
Dr. Yerim Song, Professor, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Participants:
· Spanish students in Korea
• Korean students of Hispanic studies or related fields
• Young researchers in the area

Languages: Korean, Spanish
※ Simultaneous interpretation will be provided

March 25.

4:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – SESSION 2

Korea-Spain economic cooperation in strategic industries of the future II: Energy

Chairs:
Mr. Roger Royo, President of ESCCK, CBO of ALTAVA Group, Researcher at KAIST

Speakers:
Mr. Pedro MayorgaCEO, EnerOcean
Mr. Chan-hee SonCEO, Hanwha Ocean
Dr. Sang Wuk Ahn, professor, Pukyong National University
Mr. Rafael López, president of GreenSteel and CEO of Taiichio and Wolf Projects

11.00 - 11.15 – Coffee break

11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Special session
The role of Instituto Cervantes from Seoul

Achievements and challenges of Instituto Cervantes from Seoul
Mr. Rafael Bueno, director

11.30:12.00 p.m. – XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. – Closing

Summary of the discussions from each session and presentation of future lines of cooperation within the framework of the Strategic Partnership
Mr. Won-Ho Kim, professor emeritus, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Closing remarks:
Dr. Guido Song, president, Korea Foundation
Mr. Julio Herraiz Spain, Spanish ambassador to Korea

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