Secretary for Innovation, Technology & Industry Prof Sun Dong today visited the “Seoul Startup Hub M+” and the AI start-up incubator and accelerator “Seoul AI Hub”, as he continued a visit to South Korea. Both hubs were established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Visiting the Seoul Startup Hub M+ this morning, Prof Sun met its management team to learn about the hub's efforts in fostering and supporting the growth of startups and small and medium enterprises through network building, funding support, and acceleration programmes.

Prof Sun was also briefed on plans to develop the Magok Industrial Complex into an international research and development (R&D) platform for cutting-edge technologies.

During his tour, Prof Sun met the founder of a startup that focuses on the application of quantum computing technology, to learn more about the firm's comprehensive quantum supercomputing services and its future plans.

Afterwards, the technology chief visited Seoul AI Hub, where he was briefed on the hub's operations, specific initiatives to support AI startups, and efforts to support startups' global expansion plans.

Prof Sun and his hosts also explored ways to further strengthen partnerships between their respective innovation and technology (I&T) parks.

Prof Sun met the founders of several AI startups based at the hub and heard about their business expansion plans. He encouraged South Korean startups to consider leveraging Hong Kong's unique advantages of being connected both to the Mainland and the rest of the world as they seek to expand globally.

Prof Sun then visited Seoul National University and met with its President Ryu Hong Lim.

The tech chief received a briefing on the university's latest development and achievements in R&D, its efforts to promote innovation and entrepreneurship development, and its initiatives to support and incubate startups.

Both sides also exchanged views on nurturing I&T talent and R&D collaboration.

In addition, Prof Sun toured the Soft Robotics & Bionics Laboratory and learned about its R&D outcomes.

He also called on Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Dai Bing, and briefed him on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's efforts to promote the development of I&T and AI in Hong Kong in support of the city's high-quality development.

They also discussed ways of enhancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Korea in the I&T field.