South Korea has officially completed negotiations to join the EU's research and innovation programme Horizon Europe, making it the first Asian country outside the European region to associate.

The country has been increasing research funding for decades, but its rigid, time-bound approach to research assessment is stifling basic science.

The UK has launched a research and development competition with South Korea, the latest in a string of recently announced collaborations with countries outside the EU. It comes as Brussels announces that it has entered official Horizon Europe association talks with South Korea and New Zealand.