[THE INVESTOR] US aircraft manufacturer Boeing said on March 21 it plans to establish its seventh overseas technology research center in Korea this year due.

“Korea is home to premier talent and industrial partners, as well as policies that foster innovation development. These factors combine to make Korea an ideal collaborator on aerospace innovations that will change the world,” Boeing Chief Technology Officer Greg Hyslop said in a statement.

Boeing currently operates five technology research centers in the United States and six in overseas countries, including China.

The upcoming research center in Korea will be Boeing’s 12th technology research center overall, according to the company.

"The new center will serve as a great test bed for Boeing to collaborate and develop future technologies with many leading organizations in Korea,” Boeing Korea President Eric John said in the statement.

The research center will focus on accelerating autonomy, artificial intelligence, avionics, smart cabin, smart factory and other technologies for future aerospace products, it said.

By Song Seung-hyun and newswires (ssh@heraldcorp.com)