To secure early quantum technology leaps and industrialization capabilities, the government will invest 645.4 billion won over eight years.
The Ministry of Science and ICT held the '5th National Research and Development Project Evaluation Committee' on the 26th, confirming the appropriateness review results for the 'Quantum Science and Technology Flagship Project', which is exempt from preliminary feasibility assessments.
The Quantum Science and Technology Flagship Project is an initiative to carry out challenging tasks in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing to secure early quantum technology leaps and industrialization capabilities at the level of leading countries. The preliminary feasibility exemption was decided through a Cabinet meeting in August last year, and the project officially commenced after passing the appropriateness review of the business plan on this day.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to develop and establish a 1000-qubit quantum computing system based on superconductors and neutral atoms by 2032. Qubits are the fundamental units of information used in quantum information systems, and the more qubits there are, the higher the performance. In the field of quantum communication, plans have been made to develop a quantum memory-based quantum relay and implement a 100 km quantum internet with three nodes at the network level. In the field of quantum sensing, plans are underway to develop a quantum sensor convergence platform that will lead innovations in defense and advanced industries.
The Ministry of Science and ICT noted, 'This project challenges the development of a superconducting-based quantum processor (QPU) that operates error correction,' adding, 'Error correction technology is a technology that can resolve the accumulation of errors due to the increase in the number of quantum qubits.'
On this day, the committee confirmed the results of the preliminary feasibility study for seven projects selected in November last year as 'implementation'. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 'Korean-type hydrogen reduction steel manufacturing technology development project' will be fully promoted.