Singapore, South Korea elevate ties with MOUs on civilian nuclear technology and defence

SEOUL: Singapore and South Korea on 2 November 2025 elevated their diplomatic relationship to a Strategic Partnership, marking half a century of bilateral ties.

The new status was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Lee Jae Myung at a joint press conference during Wong’s first official visit to Seoul as prime minister.

According to a joint statement, the Strategic Partnership aims to deepen collaboration in energy security, green technologies, digital innovation, and defence cooperation, reflecting both nations’ shared commitment to sustainable growth and regional stability.

Energy and technology cooperation strengthened

Eight Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements were signed to formalise the enhanced cooperation.

Among them is a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement covering civil nuclear energy technologies, safety, emergency responsiveness, and manpower training.

Both countries also agreed to advance energy collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding on liquefied natural gas (LNG), first concluded in October 2024.

The MOU seeks to improve energy resilience and explore sustainable financing for low-carbon transitions.

In addition, Singapore and South Korea will exchange information on digital sustainability, such as green software applications and carbon measurement tools, and work on mutual standards for low-carbon fuels like hydrogen and ammonia.

Deepening defence and security ties

Defence cooperation forms another pillar of the upgraded relationship.

The countries will strengthen engagement through regular bilateral defence dialogues, military exchanges, and joint research and development via the ROK–Singapore Joint Steering Committee on Defence Technology Cooperation.

The two sides also renewed the Information Exchange Agreement on the Verification of Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents and will explore new collaborations in microelectronics and cybersecurity.

President Lee stated that South Korea is prepared to support Singapore in diversifying its defence materials and in eradicating transnational crimes such as online scams.

He said both nations will leverage their advanced digital and financial infrastructure to strengthen policy coordination and law enforcement cooperation.

Expanding trade and economic links

Singapore and South Korea are among each other’s top 10 trading partners, with investment flows increasing steadily.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of enhancing economic connectivity and sustainable growth.

Wong emphasised that the two countries would “work together to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity, and reinforce the multilateral rules-based trading system.”

They will also jointly launch a digital transformation project for Southeast Asia under the Singapore Cooperation Programme and the ASEAN–Korea Cooperation Fund. Negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN–Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are set to begin early next year.

Human connections and cultural collaboration

Beyond economics, the two nations are expanding people-to-people links.

Wong noted that many Singaporeans are passionate followers of Korean culture, adding that such cultural affinity helps strengthen the bilateral relationship.

During an official lunch hosted by Lee, both leaders toasted to growing exchanges in education, arts, culture, and sports. Wong remarked that food from Korea has become a staple in Singapore, while expressing hope that more Koreans would visit Singapore to experience its multicultural heritage.

Human connections, he said, form the “foundation for the robust and expanding links in trade and investment.”