[Unofficial Translation]

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida; Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the Tad and Dianne Taube Director of the Hoover Institution; Professor Michael McFaul, Director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies; Professor Gi-Wook Shin, Director of the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center; and Stanford University faculty and students,

This visit to San Francisco marks my fourth trip to the United States this year, following visits to Washington D.C., Camp David and New York in the autumn.

The Stanford University campus is a cradle of innovation, and it is a great pleasure to come here with one of my closest friends in the international community - Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

The Republic of Korea and Stanford University have forged a special relationship. Terman Hall of the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) honors Professor Frederik Terman, the father of Silicon Valley. In the late 1960s, Korean President Park Chung Hee reached out to the U.S. for the sake of cultivating engineering talent.

Professor Terman from Stanford’s School of Engineering visited Korea and compiled his observations in the Terman Report. This report led to the creation of KAIST’s precursor, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science (KAIS), in 1971. One of the poorest countries in the world at the time, Korea implemented science and technology-driven policies, with KAIST at the forefront, which has paved the way for Korea to attain its current level of freedom and prosperity. The winds of freedom championed in Stanford University’s motto traveled all the way to faraway Korea.

Prime Minister Kishida and I had previously agreed to expand the horizons of Korea-Japan cooperation to include the cutting-edge science and technology sector. Subsequently at the Camp David Summit in August, we reached an agreement to develop ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral collaboration into a comprehensive partnership that encompasses cooperation on key emerging technologies and supply chains.

Here at Stanford University today, I would like to speak about the strategy for solidarity in the fields of science and technology to uphold the principles and spirit of Camp David.

First, we will strengthen trilateral cooperation in fundamental, cutting-edge technologies. Quantum and digital technologies, including AI, as well as 6G and other key technologies are game changers that will reshape the future of humanity by spurring innovation across all industries and social systems. Advanced technologies such as semiconductors and rechargeable batteries are growth engines that upgrade industries, thereby creating numerous quality jobs and driving economic growth.

By jointly developing technologies and sharing achievements among the Republic of Korea, the U.S. and Japan that share common philosophies and values, we can make life freer and more prosperous not only for the peoples of our three countries but indeed for the whole of humanity.

To this end, I will significantly increase next year’s budget for the support of global joint research and make the disbursement of these funds more flexible. This will create a system that allows us to engage promptly in technological cooperation with countries that share our values.

Our three countries will immediately begin discussions to identify and implement joint projects in foundational, cutting-edge technologies.

Second, our three countries need to ensure that AI and digital technologies are utilized to increase and promote freedom and well-being for the people, not to suppress freedom or allow certain individuals to have some kind of a monopoly for well-being. We should also do our utmost to establish global governance to prevent AI and digital technologies from posing a threat to the safety of individuals or society. Generative AI – as exemplified by the release of ChatGPT – has brought greater convenience and benefits in our daily lives. Nevertheless, there are growing concerns that the proliferation of disinformation may threaten democracy and freedom or that a serious digital divide may even undermine human dignity.

At the United Nations General Assembly last year and this year as well at New York University and the Sorbonne in Paris, I proposed the establishment of an international organization under the UN to establish AI and digital technology norms that are universal.

When Korea, the U.S. and Japan join forces to lead this international discussion, we can create digital governance consistent with the values of liberal democracy. In addition, as advanced AI and digital technology permeate every corner of our lives spanning different industries and cultures, there is a need to assist those countries with low digital access and digital adoption to narrow digital gaps and ensure all countries have fair digital access. This will contribute to sustainable peace and prosperity in the international community. Korea, the U.S. and Japan should also work together to bridge these gaps.

Third, our three countries must actively respond to the climate crisis by strengthening cooperation in carbon reduction and clean energy technologies.

We must employ high-efficiency carbon-free energy such as nuclear power and hydrogen extensively to hasten the pursuit of carbon neutrality. At the UN General Assembly last September, I proposed the formation of a Carbon-Free Alliance to promote the adoption of carbon-free energy, which was officially launched in October.

Collaborative projects between Korean and U.S. companies and between Japanese and U.S. businesses to develop next-generation small modular reactors are well under way.

In the hydrogen field, the international hydrogen fuel cell partnership is at the center of the efforts by Korea, the U.S. and Japan to strengthen policy coordination. I look forward to clean energy cooperation among our three countries in various fields including technological development, systems, and infrastructure.

Stanfordians,

The leaders of Korea, the U.S. and Japan declared in the Camp David Principles that the three countries are stronger when we stand as one. In this new era which our three countries are ushering in with a firm sense of solidarity and commitment, I hope that you will enjoy the fruits, take on challenges and advance to the fullest extent.

The title of the last chapter of the Terman Report was “Looking Ahead.” Our future dreams lie in your devoted endeavors, your efforts and your will to take on challenges.

I hope that you – innovators of tomorrow – will generate winds of change and freedom that are felt around the world.

As Prime Minister Kishida said earlier, I hope that you will do well in tomorrow’s big match.

Thank you.