The world has come to recognize the vulnerability of supply chains and the importance of manufacturing through various global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. Amid these changes, innovation in manufacturing and securing technological sovereignty have emerged as essential tasks to maintain a nation's economic stability and competitiveness.

The Korea-Germany Technology Leadership Forum, co-hosted by Seoul National University's Institute for Future Strategy and Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI), is a platform for in-depth discussions on the innovation challenges faced by Korean and German manufacturing industries and ways to secure technological sovereignty. The forum will focus not only on the strategic importance of Industry 4.0, which symbolizes the digital transformation of manufacturing, but also on the role and importance of technological sovereignty in maintaining and strengthening national competitiveness. It will be a valuable opportunity to analyze these challenges faced by both countries and share opportunities and cooperation plans to overcome them.The first day of this two-day event will discuss "Industry 4.0 and Manufacturing Transformation: Current Status and Prospects in Korea and Germany," exploring ways to strengthen national competitiveness through digital innovation in manufacturing. It will be a platform to share successful cases of Industry 4.0 implementation and insights gained, designing the future of manufacturing based on cooperation between the two countries.

The second day will focus on "Technological Sovereignty," exploring specific ways to secure technological independence and global competitiveness for each country. With technological sovereignty now a core asset of national economies and industries, experts from both countries will gather to analyze its importance and its economic and political impacts, and discuss future strategies.The Korea-Germany Technology Leadership Forum will be a valuable platform for discussions on leading future national competitiveness through digital transformation of manufacturing and technological sovereignty. We invite you to participate in this important event and not miss the opportunity to share new visions and insights.