South Korea's Lee Signs Deals in India and Vietnam

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wrapped up a series of diplomatic engagements in South Asia and Southeast Asia this week, signing multiple agreements with leaders in India and Vietnam to bolster economic, technological and security cooperation amid global supply chain challenges.

The tour began in New Delhi on April 20, where Lee met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral talks focused on advancing trade, defense and critical technologies. The leaders unveiled the India-Korea Digital Bridge initiative, a framework to integrate India's AI talent with South Korea's semiconductor expertise. This includes joint research and development projects in industrial AI, digital infrastructure and chip manufacturing, aiming to build a resilient full-stack semiconductor value chain in India. They also committed to a $50 billion bilateral trade target by 2030 and inked 15 memorandums of understanding covering industrial cooperation, steel supply chains, energy security and shipbuilding.

Modi highlighted the partnership's potential during a joint press statement, saying, "Today, we are transforming a trusted partnership into a futuristic partnership. From chips to ships, talent...