Government to Secure Quantum Hegemony Technology Without a First Place

Quantum Strategy Committee Launched
Strategy Initiated to Lead the Quantum Economy by 2035

The government aims to discover future promising technologies in the quantum field where there is no leading country, seeking to pioneer unexplored areas. The strategy is to secure dominant technologies in the quantum sector, which currently lacks a hegemonic technology, through innovation-challenging research and development (R&D) support that allows for failure.

On the afternoon of the 12th, the government announced at the 1st meeting held after the launch ceremony of the Quantum Strategy Committee, chaired by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science in Daejeon, that it will accelerate the implementation of the "Quantum Initiative Promotion Strategy for Leading the Quantum Economy by 2035," which includes these plans.

The government views quantum science and technology as game-changing technologies that have a profound impact on the nation's future economy, society, and security, and has been focusing all efforts on securing quantum leadership since 2014, including the enactment of the Quantum Technology Industry Act.

Last April, the government announced the "Quantum Initiative" and to accelerate its implementation, launched the Quantum Strategy Committee along with three key tasks: securing core competencies, establishing a foundation for quantum industrialization, and global cooperation and technology security, as well as ten core promotion tasks including mission-oriented investment enhancement.

The government plans to focus on discovering future promising technologies that can lead future quantum competition but currently have no leading country, as merely chasing technologies led by leading countries is unlikely to guarantee competitiveness.

For example, while current quantum communication mainly consists of limited cryptographic communication, South Korea aims to take the lead in the future quantum Internet of Things era by developing universal quantum system network technology that can organically connect various extended platform systems. The government intends to support overcoming failures and re-challenging during this process.

To close the core technology gap, large-scale flagship projects will also be pursued. To catch up with leading countries in key technologies of global quantum competition, the government plans to develop, together with the private sector, a 1000-qubit quantum computer, quantum network based on quantum repeaters, and GPS-free quantum navigation sensors, thereby securing industrial capabilities. For this, an investment of over 700 billion KRW is being considered by 2032.

Private companies participating in the projects will be selected through public recruitment, and forming consortia with universities or government-funded research institutes will be mandatory when applying for tasks. Lee Jong-woo, Director of Quantum Innovation Technology Development at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "After assessing demand, about 50 companies, including large and small-medium enterprises in various fields, have shown interest," adding, "Following project feasibility reviews and detailed project finalization, announcements are expected around June to July."

The government will also secure human resources by nurturing quantum specialists and technology convergence personnel and attracting outstanding overseas talents. Core personnel will be trained mainly through quantum graduate schools and major research centers, and quantum platforms and quantum fabs will be established as hubs for institutional improvements and package support to attract overseas talent.

To establish a foundation for quantum industrialization, the government will develop quantum software and algorithms to challenge early realization of quantum advantage. Through quantum algorithm challenges, it aims to raise societal interest in quantum computer utilization and generate innovative ideas. Additionally, by introducing globally leading quantum computing systems, it will expand access to quantum computers and build a software infrastructure.

Lee Chang-yoon, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, is briefing on the launch of the Quantum Strategy Committee and the "Quantum Initiative Promotion Strategy for Leading the Quantum Economy by 2035" at the Government Seoul Office on the 12th. Photo by the Ministry of Science and ICT

The government plans to foster strategic materials, parts, and equipment (MPE) industries to capture the global market. Although most MPE required for implementing quantum science technology currently depend on overseas sources, this is a field where South Korea's strengths in semiconductors and manufacturing capabilities can be leveraged. Comprehensive support from technology development to industrialization will be provided to stabilize the quantum MPE supply chain.

Furthermore, to secure global cooperation and technology security, the government will actively participate in and seek to host global multilateral consultative bodies, establish Quantum Frontier Labs for collaboration with leading global institutions, and newly promote projects such as the Global Partnership Leading University (QUA) initiative.

According to Precedence Research, a global market research firm, the quantum science and technology market size is expected to grow nearly tenfold from $2.34 billion (approximately 3.3 trillion KRW) last year to $24.6 billion (approximately 34 trillion KRW) by 2033.

At a briefing, Lee Chang-yoon, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "As important as the rapid development of quantum technology is its dissemination to industries," adding, "We plan to reflect various opinions through exploring multiple possibilities and approaches and discussions with experts in next year's budget."

Meanwhile, the Quantum Strategy Committee is the highest-level inter-ministerial deliberative and decision-making body on quantum science and technology under the Prime Minister. It is composed of seven ex officio government members including Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT as vice-chairman, and 11 experts from industry, academia, and research, including Kim Jae-wan, Chair Professor at the Quantum Universe Center of the Institute for Basic Science.

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