"10-Year 3 Trillion Investment to Leap as Quantum Economy Hub by 2035"

Ministry of Science and ICT to Announce First National Quantum Science and Technology Strategy on the Afternoon of the 27th

The government has presented a vision to leap forward as a global quantum economy hub by 2035, investing at least 3 trillion won over the next decade through public-private collaboration. Specifically, it plans to raise the technology level to 85% of leading countries, develop a quantum computer with 1,000 qubits, conduct initial demonstrations of intercity quantum networks, develop top-level quantum sensors, and foster 2,500 core personnel and 1,200 quantum companies.

On the afternoon of the 27th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the "Korea Quantum Science and Technology Strategy" at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul. This strategy upgrades the mid- to long-term vision for quantum science and technology, reflecting President Yoon Seok-yeol's dialogue with quantum scholars at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich on January 19. It is the first national strategy encompassing a comprehensive development plan.

First, securing quantum personnel is prioritized. Last year, Korea had 384 core quantum personnel, and the plan is to increase this to 2,500 by 2035. Additionally, through education and training of ‘quantum engineers’ specializing in quantum system implementation and control such as electronic engineering and control/system engineering, a harmonious quantum convergence workforce ecosystem (core personnel + quantum engineers) will be fostered. While dispatching 500 personnel to overseas research institutions, quantum science and technology cooperation centers will be established in key regions such as the United States and the European Union (EU) to create a global talent circulation system.

To rapidly elevate technology levels, mission-oriented quantum research and development will be pursued. Specifically, a 50-qubit quantum computer will be developed and demonstrated by 2027, and a 1,000-qubit quantum computer by 2031. Development of quantum repeaters and experiments on intercity quantum transmission stations are planned. Notably, the number of world-class quantum sensor core technologies will increase from one currently to three by 2031.

An open quantum fab centered on researchers (2027), a public quantum foundry (2031), and a private quantum foundry (2035) will be established to advance quantum research and industrial infrastructure.

Industrial foundations for the quantum economy will also be established. By 2031, support for exploring quantum gains in ten major fields will increase the number of quantum startups from about 10 currently to 100 by 2035. Through exploring the economic and social applicability of quantum science and technology, quantum-utilizing industries and startups will be nurtured, and institutional support will be strengthened to activate public-private joint projects involving corporate participation. In particular, quantum companies will be intensively fostered through venture development programs such as the Super-gap Startup 1000+ project and policy financial support.

Quantum technology adoption will be promoted in defense and security sectors. By 2025, three quantum-specialized research labs and centers for defense will be established focusing on quantum radar, LiDAR, quantum navigation, and quantum cryptographic communication. A master plan for transitioning to next-generation cryptography (quantum-resistant cryptography) systems will also be formulated.

International cooperation investment will be significantly increased from 13 billion won over the past three years to 210 billion won over the next 13 years until 2035 to secure global quantum leadership. Overseas personnel dispatch will also be greatly expanded from 53 to 500 during the same period.

From next year until 2035, a sustainable support system will be established through 2.4 trillion won of government funds and 600 billion won of private investment from 2023 to 2027. A law on fostering quantum science and technology and quantum industry will also be enacted. This bill includes comprehensive support through a quantum comprehensive plan, establishment of quantum research and industrial hubs, full-cycle workforce training, commercialization of research outcomes, and activation of international cooperation. Moving beyond small-scale element technology research, a large-scale integrated public-private collaborative research and development project (Flagship Project) linking industry, academia, and research institutes according to a strategic roadmap will be promoted.

On this day, the Ministry of Science and ICT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for quantum personnel training cooperation with IBM and IonQ, a private startup with world-leading quantum computing technology. Additionally, about ten MOUs were signed among institutions including the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute of Korea, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Megazone Cloud, POSCO Holdings, Quantum Machines, and Pascal for joint technology development and personnel exchange.

Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho emphasized, “Although Korea entered quantum science and technology development late, full-scale industrialization has not yet begun, so the golden time opportunity remains.” He added, “To stand as a leading country when the quantum economy opens around 2035, industry, academia, research, and government must join hands and launch an all-out effort.” He further stated, “We will carefully manage core tasks such as nurturing quantum convergence talent, mission-oriented research and development, and establishing a quantum industrial base to firmly build the foundation for Korea’s great leap as a global quantum economy hub.”

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