155 Billion KRW Investment in ICT Fundamental Research and Development This Year

Ministry of Science and ICT Confirms Investment Plans for 17 Projects
1.7 Times Increase Compared to Previous Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Government research and development (R&D) investment in representative advanced strategic technologies that will determine future national competitiveness?quantum computers, semiconductors, ultra-high-performance computers, and superconductors?will be significantly increased.

On the 12th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it has finalized the implementation plan for the ICT fundamental research and development project worth 155.7 billion KRW this year, pursuing 17 projects. This is more than 1.7 times the 90.4 billion KRW from last year. Among these, 53 billion KRW will be allocated to new projects (8 projects).

The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to focus on securing core technological capabilities, nurturing talent, and expanding infrastructure to establish a domestic ecosystem in response to the global technology hegemony competition. In the quantum computing field, the ministry will accelerate securing core technologies by early demonstration of a 20-qubit quantum computer, the first phase goal of the 50-qubit quantum computer development and construction project (2022?2026) initiated last year (12 billion KRW). Based on close public-private partnerships such as the 'Quantum Computing Industry Leading Companies Alliance,' it plans to trigger the quantum industry by establishing a quantum simulator for material development (7.6 billion KRW) and launching a quantum gain demonstration project (3.75 billion KRW). Following last year, one new quantum graduate school will be established (total of 2 graduate schools operated, 2.8 billion KRW) to expand the scale of training top-level quantum specialists. For strategic cooperation with the European Union (EU), an EU regional cooperation hub center and three joint research centers by technology field will also be established and operated.

2023 ICT Basic Research and Development Budget Table. [Image provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT]

In the ultra-high-performance computing field, to prepare for the exascale era, construction of the nation's sixth ultra-high-performance computer will begin (18.4 billion KRW). Development of fundamental software technologies to support specialized utilization will also be newly pursued (1.8 billion KRW). In the semiconductor field, a project utilizing existing public sector fabs to provide design and verification opportunities to design major students and link them to computational systems (12 billion KRW), as well as a national semiconductor laboratory project to support mid- to long-term focused research to solve corporate challenges and secure future fundamental technologies, will be newly pursued (6.475 billion KRW). In the superconductor field, continuous support will be provided for research and development of core magnet technologies for four shapes and common technologies for design and wire materials related to insulated high-temperature superconductor technology capable of solving existing technical challenges (8.5 billion KRW).

Gu Hyeok-chae, Director of Basic Fundamental Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, “In the era of global technology hegemony competition, to gain an advantage in core technologies that determine national competitiveness, we will expand investment in national strategic technologies such as quantum and semiconductors, while also strengthening continuous exploration and active support of promising technologies. We will strive to make the policy effective through full-cycle support, including not only research and development investment but also strategic project management and performance creation.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.