South Korea ranked fifth overall in the global competitiveness of key emerging technologies, bolstered by its strength in semiconductors, according to a recent report by Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

KoreaBio’s research center reported on Monday that Korea placed fifth out of 25 countries in the Belfer Center’s latest “Critical and Emerging Technologies Index,” which assesses countries’ standings in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, semiconductors, space, and quantum technologies.

Korea ranked fifth in semiconductors, fourth in AI, fifth in biotech, fifth in quantum, and fifth in space. The semiconductor top five comprised the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, while the United States, China, Germany, Japan, and Korea led biotech. In AI, the top five were the United States, China, Japan, Korea, and Germany. The United States, China, Japan, Germany, and Korea led in quantum, while the United States, China, Russia, Japan, and Korea were the top five in space.

Notably, the United States and China topped all five technology areas, far ahead of most other countries. The report said while the United States remains dominant, it does not hold a complete monopoly. It added that collaboration with Europe, Japan, and Korea would enhance its competitiveness in quantum, semiconductors, and biotech.

The gap between the United States and China was smallest in biotech, where China’s substantial government investments and state-supported manufacturing capacity have allowed it to nearly match the U.S.’ achievements.

However, Korea’s semiconductor and AI sectors remain heavily dependent on foreign equipment and relatively weak in private R&D, contributing to a significant gap with the United States. The report suggested that the balance of power could shift quickly in the rapidly developing biotech sector. It noted that while Korea has yet to fully leverage large-scale public and private investment in biotech, the country’s renewed focus on the sector warrants close attention.

To strengthen its biotech capabilities, Korea must integrate data from government, industry, hospitals, and research institutions to create a comprehensive national bio data platform, expand public R&D funding, and ease the financial burden on biotech firms. The report also said that accelerating efforts to build a unified national bio data platform and expanding public R&D funding will help drive new drug development and commercialization.

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