The Ministry of Science and ICT on the 29th announced the First comprehensive plan to foster quantum science and technology and the quantum industry and the First basic plan for quantum clusters at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. On the premise that the quantum field is still at a stage where the market has not fully formed, the government laid out a direction to build an industrialization foundation in step with the policy pace of major countries overseas.
The comprehensive plan advances beyond a research and development (R&D)-centric approach to include an industrial roadmap covering manufacturing, workforce, corporations, and use cases. The government's long-term goals include securing world No. 1–level quantum chip manufacturing capabilities by 2035, training 10,000 people in the quantum field, and fostering 2,000 quantum corporations. From a global supply chain perspective, it also mentioned plans to support domestic corporations' entry into key quantum materials, parts, and equipment supply chains and to bring the related ecosystem together.
In quantum computing, the government set a short- to mid-term goal of developing a fully homegrown quantum computer by 2028. The Ministry of Science and ICT said it will build a full-stack (system-wide) ecosystem on the hardware side and internalize core technologies, including scale-up, fundamental technologies, and the development of quantum processing units (QPUs). To encourage corporations to participate, it is also reviewing corporation-led projects such as a challenge for developing entry-level quantum computers. It also explained the need to expand performance testing infrastructure and test environments (testbeds and related facilities) to support these efforts.
On software and applications, the goal is to discover 100 industrial use cases by 2030. Because the expense of using quantum computer infrastructure is currently very high, making it difficult for domestic software corporations to create use cases, the government plans to build hybrid infrastructure that links quantum computers with high-performance classical computers (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI), and to support the discovery of use cases through an algorithm center and other channels. A connected project to generate data from quantum simulation results to supplement AI training's data shortage was also presented as a target for promotion.
In quantum communications, the government will pursue a demonstration of quantum cryptography communication on the national innovation network by 2028 and set a goal of developing satellite quantum cryptography communication technology by 2030. The Ministry of Science and ICT said it will validate quantum security on key national infrastructure by expanding the quantum key distribution (QKD) testbed and will develop cost-reduction and equipment miniaturization technologies in parallel for commercialization. It also cited as a task the development of technology to enable quantum information communications on existing wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) optical networks, moving away from a dedicated dark-fiber focus, as well as advancement of technologies linked to defense. Over the long term, it included securing fundamental technologies for implementing a quantum internet after 2035.
In quantum sensors, the government will select projects with early commercialization potential in areas such as healthcare and defense and provide focused support from prototype production to commercialization. It also presented plans to commercialize magnetic field sensors in the bio sector and to develop navigation technology by 2030 that reduces dependence on GPS. Defense-linked technologies will undergo demonstration in the form of pilot projects, and items for industrial application in areas such as bio and semiconductors will be identified from the outset and pursued.
On ecosystem building, the government said it will expand 30-year, mission-oriented basic research (strategic basic research) and pursue innovation- and challenge-type national R&D projects that allow for failure. It also mentioned, as a topic for review, the idea of establishing a tentatively named National Quantum Laboratory to super-concentrate research that is now proceeding in a scattered manner. The plan also includes setting up a system to pre-examine how quantum technology will affect large-scale science projects such as satellites and space.
For talent, the government will graduate 100 core personnel annually through AI science high schools and quantum graduate schools and will push to broaden the educational base, including by creating quantum-focused undergraduate departments. Considering demand for quantum transition in industry, it will also support reskilling for incumbent workers and the training of personnel for industrial applications. For international cooperation, it presented tasks such as strengthening government–industry–private networks and pursuing supply chain cooperation, international standardization, and security policy coordination.
◇ Government to designate up to five "quantum clusters" by 2030
The first basic plan for quantum clusters includes a measure to designate up to five clusters across five fields (quantum computing, communications, sensors, materials/parts/equipment, and algorithms) linked with regional specialized industries by 2030. Major countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan, are building quantum clusters in various forms, and the Netherlands is growing its industry by creating function-specific specialized hubs.
Sim Ju-seop, head of the Quantum Innovation Technology Development Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "In Korea, many efforts have been led by small and midsize businesses and have been scattered by region," and noted, "We need a base to bring together policy, corporations, and regional capabilities."
The cluster concept also includes a "quantum highway" to strengthen connections among clusters. The quantum highway is a catch-all concept for quantum-related infrastructure (testbeds, foundries, computing infrastructure, and more). The government presented a strategy to create successful quantum transition (QX) cases by combining regional flagship industries (such as semiconductors and bio) with quantum technology and to link this to fostering materials, parts, and equipment. To keep research results from staying in the lab, tasks also include proof-of-concept (PoC) and commercialization support, joint use of national infrastructure, and building a demand-based technology-matching platform. For the startup ecosystem, growth support measures were mentioned, including discovering startups, scaling up, and supporting overseas expansion, along with the possibility of linkage with Ministry of Education programs.
For the cluster rollout schedule, the Ministry of Science and ICT presented preparing guidelines for regional development plans in Feb., preliminary planning and an open call process from March to June, application intake in May, and final regional selections in July. It also explained a policy to build a cooperation system among clusters to reduce overlapping investment and fragmentation.
The government also unveiled a plan to push for a leap to a global quantum hub by pursuing cooperation with leading overseas corporations. This year, it said it will bring the quantum computer of the quantum computing corporation IonQ into the country and link it with the supercomputer at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) to build a hybrid research environment. At the event held that day, the Ministry of Science and ICT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with IonQ. The MOU includes establishing a joint research center in Korea and investing $5 million a year for three years (about 71 billion won).
A Quantum Technology Council also launched with major corporations participating, including Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, SKT and KT, KB and Shinhan, and Hanwha and LIG. The government plans to operate the council so it discovers projects that can solve industrial field challenges with quantum technology and leads the creation of early markets.
Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Quantum technology is the key technology that will determine national competitiveness after AI," and added, "We will pool the capabilities of industry, academia, research, and government through the comprehensive plan and the cluster plan."