"Unhackable Networks to Be Deployed"…Government Expands Nationwide Quantum Cryptography Demonstration

Expansion of the Seoul–Daejeon Testbed to a Nationwide Scale
Pushing Forward with Satellite and Wireless Quantum Communication

Ministry of Science and ICT Launches Open Quantum Testbed Project Call

"Fostering Core Infrastructure for the Era of AI and Quantum Technology"

The government is moving to accelerate the industrial adoption of quantum cryptography communication technology by expanding nationwide demonstration infrastructure. The existing quantum testbed, which has been focused on the Seoul–Pangyo–Daejeon corridor, will be expanded to a national scale, and efforts will be made to secure interoperability with overseas networks as well as next-generation satellite-based quantum communication technology.

On May 6, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the full-scale launch of a call for projects under the "Open Quantum Testbed Advancement and Expansion Project."

A reference image to aid in understanding the article.

The open quantum testbed is a core demonstration infrastructure designed to support the commercialization and industrial expansion of quantum cryptography communication technology. Since 2024, the government has established and operated a quantum cryptography communication network and testing and verification equipment along the Seoul, Pangyo, and Daejeon corridor.

Through this, companies, universities, and research institutes have been provided with a collaborative environment for testing quantum communication technologies, and support has been offered for testing, verifying, and providing technical assistance for commercial products developed by small and medium-sized enterprises.

This initiative follows the "First Comprehensive Plan for Quantum Science Technology and Quantum Industry Development," which was announced in January 2026. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to expand the testbed, previously centered around Seoul and Daejeon, to a nationwide scale and to promote demonstration of international interoperability and next-generation quantum communication technologies.

Expansion of Demonstrations for Next-Generation Technologies, Including Satellite and Wireless Quantum Communication

The project will be divided into three categories based on technology maturity and intended use: commercial hubs, overseas hubs, and future hubs.

The commercial hubs will focus on demonstrating quantum cryptography communication services in real network environments and verifying the commercial potential of low-cost, compact quantum key distribution (QKD) equipment.

The overseas hubs will establish connections with international quantum testbeds and networks, aiming to verify the interoperability of quantum communication technologies between countries and lay the groundwork for global cooperation.

The future hubs will build demonstration environments for next-generation quantum communication technologies, such as satellite- and wireless-based QKD and quantum entanglement communication. The government aims to use this as a foundation for securing key fundamental technologies for the future.

Eligible applicants are consortia that include facilities-based telecommunications service providers, and the project period runs for three years from 2026 to 2028. Applying consortia must design their projects to be interoperable with existing quantum testbeds, and both private and public sector demand organizations must participate.

Kim Sungsoo, policy chief for R&D at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "We will provide support to ensure that quantum cryptography communication becomes a key infrastructure underpinning future industrial innovation."

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