Korean Gov’t, Corporations to Invest 3 Trillion Won+ in Quantum Science, Tech

The Korean government and companies will invest more than 3 trillion won in quantum science and technology by 2035. This is more than ten times the amount invested in the past five years (276.1 billion won). Experts say that Korea laid out a blueprint to become the world’s fourth-largest quantum power.

The Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) unveiled Korea’s quantum science and technology strategy at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul on June 27. It is a national strategy for the mid- to long-term development of future technologies. Of the 3 trillion won (US$2.3 billion) to be invested in quantum science and technology by 2035, the Korean government will pay 2.4 trillion won. The event disclosed Korean companies’ investment plan until 2027 only. The government’s goal is to raise Korea’s technology level from the current 62.5 percent to 85 percent of that of the world’s most advanced country, the United States.

To this end, the government plans to produce 2,500 key personnel with doctorate degrees in quantum research. The number currently stands at 384. It will scale up the number of bachelor’s and master’s degree level personnel to 10,000 from the current 1,000. Overseas talent exchange programs will also be expanded. It will run a program to dispatch more than 500 personnel per year. To this end, the MSIT has signed agreements with IBM, IonQ, and others for training programs.

Specific targets for 2035 were also presented. The government’s blueprint is to ramp up Korea’s share of the global quantum market from 1.8 percent (10th) in 2023 year to 10 percent (4th), and to raise the number of companies supplying and utilizing quantum technology from the current 80 to 120. It will also promote a plan to commercialize quantum computers of 1,000 qubits or higher, a national quantum communication network, a quantum internet, and quantum sensors in stages.

Major Korean companies see quantum computing as a game changer that will succeed artificial intelligence (AI). Hyundai Motor has been using quantum computers to find materials for hydrogen fuel cell catalysts since April. The idea is to replace an expensive platinum catalyst for its hydrogen car, the Nexo.

The semiconductor industry is also paying attention to quantum technology. When a semiconductor process reaches one nanometer, it can generate a quantum tunnel effect. This is a phenomenon in which electrons pass through the internal barriers of a semiconductor, which is an obstacle to chip miniaturization. Samsung Electronics is studying and developing technologies to overcome the quantum tunnel effect with Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), the Samsung Future Technology Development Foundation, and Kyungpook National University.

LG Electronics is using quantum computers to develop new blue-colored organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials and swarm robot navigation. SK Telecom has developed a quantum cryptographic chip that performs quantum random number generation and cryptographic communication functions in a single semiconductor.

POSCO Holdings is utilizing quantum algorithms to develop secondary battery materials.