The government has chosen seven fields, including small modular reactors (SMRs), nuclear fusion, quantum, space and aviation, and advanced bio, as next-generation growth engines and will pursue mid- to long-term technology development.
The Ministry of Science and ICT on the 12th held a joint "Seven SEEDs for Future Growth briefing" with related ministries at the Blue House and announced implementation plans for each field. SEED refers to advanced technologies to be strategically invested in to secure industrial competitiveness 10 to 20 years from now.
The seven fields are broadly divided into future clean energy, next-generation frontier, and advanced supply chain. Future clean energy includes SMRs, nuclear fusion, and next-generation renewable energy, while the next-generation frontier includes quantum, space and aviation, and advanced bio. The supply chain for critical minerals and materials, parts, and equipment will also be pursued as a separate task.
In the SMR field, the public and private sectors will begin detailed SMR design in 2027, with a goal of commercializing light-water SMRs by 2035. Construction of non-light-water SMRs will also be launched in the 2030s.
For nuclear fusion, the government will build a virtual fusion reactor and demonstration infrastructure using artificial intelligence (AI) and pursue construction of a Korean innovative fusion reactor by 2035. It set goals of power generation by the late 2030s and commercial power supply in the 2040s.
In the quantum field, the government will work to secure a domestically produced, 100-qubit class quantum processor with error correction by 2029. The plan also includes developing a full-stack quantum computer—including quantum chips, control devices, and software—and establishing a production base for quantum chips. The goal is to reach No. 1 in manufacturing capability within 10 years.
In space and aviation, following the launch of a lunar orbit communication satellite in 2029, the goal is to launch the country's first privately led, 700-kilogram-class lunar lander in 2030. The government will also pursue building an independent low Earth orbit satellite communication network by 2035.
In advanced bio, the government will establish research infrastructure by 2030, including AI-based drug development, autonomous laboratories, and biofoundries. For brain-computer interfaces (BCI), it will pursue technology development and demonstrations with a goal of commercialization by 2035.
In the supply chain field, the government plans to raise the recycling rate of 10 key minerals to 20% by 2030 and expand major stockpile items from 24 to 29. In materials, parts, and equipment, it will promote research and development (R&D) investments totaling 10 trillion won over the next five years.
Centering on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, the government will form a public-private joint implementation system and review each project's detailed roadmap and progress. It will strengthen the research capacity of universities and government-funded research institutes and will also support deep-tech startups and corporations' R&D.