Seoul is grappling with a widening technological gap with China, according to a recent assessment by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSICT). The review found that Beijing has surpassed Seoul in 11 key sectors and 136 core technologies between 2022 and 2024, intensifying competition between the two East Asian nations.
The MSICT’s latest technology-level assessment, released last week, benchmarks global scientific and technological development against a baseline of 100% set for the United States in 2024. The European Union ranked second at 93.8%, while China achieved a score of 86.8%, climbing one position from its 2022 ranking and overtaking Japan, which fell to fourth place at 86.2%. South Korea trailed at 82.8%, according to the ministry.
This places South Korea 0.7 years behind its regional rival, China, in overall technological capability, a slight increase from the 2.8-year gap separating Seoul from the US and China’s 2.1-year gap from the US. The findings underscore Beijing’s strategic prioritization of science and technology, coupled with increased investment in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and next-generation energy systems.
The assessment evaluated technological levels across 11 areas, including construction, transport, aviation, national defense, and mechanical manufacturing, by analyzing academic papers and patents. The growing disparity comes as China and South Korea navigate a complex relationship marked by both economic interdependence and strategic rivalry. According to a 2026 analysis of China-South Korea relations, the two nations formally established diplomatic ties in 1988, with South Korea being the last Asian country to do so.
The increasing competition is further complicated by geopolitical factors, including differing security alignments. South Korea maintains a strong security alliance with the United States, while China is politically aligned with North Korea. Recent incidents highlight the delicate balance Seoul must strike between its alliance with Washington and its economic ties with Beijing. Last week, South Korea protested to the US over a stand-off between American and Chinese fighter jets in the Yellow Sea, signaling a reluctance to see US Forces Korea (USFK) actively confront China, according to reports from the South China Morning Post.
The US military confirmed that USFK notified South Korean authorities ahead of the Air Force exercise that triggered the incident, but acknowledged that senior Korean military leaders were not fully briefed on the details. This incident occurred as China’s military tracked and monitored US F-16 fighters approaching its air defense identification zone, prompting Beijing to scramble its own jets. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated its military responded “in accordance with laws and regulations.”
Analysts suggest that Seoul’s protest reflects the growing difficulty in balancing its relationship with both the US and China. The technological assessment from the MSICT adds another layer to this dynamic, highlighting the need for both countries to move beyond zero-sum competition and deepen cooperation in economic and technological development, according to analysts.