South Korea to Invest $2.33 Billion in Quantum by 2035

Insider Summary

• South Korea plans to invest more than 3 trillion won ($2.33 billion) in quantum science and technology by 2035, aiming to become a global leader in the field.
• The country aims to increase the number of quantum researchers sevenfold to 2,500 by 2035 and develop its own quantum computers and advanced quantum sensors.
• South Korea aims to secure a 10% global market share in quantum technology by 2035 and has signed partnerships with IBM and IonQ to train local experts in quantum computing.

South Korea has unveiled a strategic plan to invest more than 3 trillion won ($2.33 billion) in quantum science and technology with the aim of establishing itself as a global leader in this field, according to South Korean news website Pulse. The announcement came from Science and ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho during a conference on quantum science and technology.

Under the plan, South Korea intends to significantly increase the number of quantum researchers, with a target of a seven-fold increase to 2,500 by 2035. The news site reported that the strategy reflects discussions between President Yoon Suk Yeol and quantum scientists at the Swiss Federal Institute. of Technology Zurich earlier this year, making it the first national strategy to include a long-term vision for quantum science and technology.

One of the main goals, as stated by Pulse, is to develop a quantum computer using self-made technology and advanced quantum sensors, reaching a rate of up to 85 percent compared to the global leader by 2035. In addition, South Korea aims to secure 10 percent of the market share global market in quantum technology in the same year.

Minister Lee expressed enthusiasm for the country’s quantum science ambitions, saying, “This year marks the first year of South Korea’s leap in quantum science.”

According to the news site, to realize the strategy, the government plans to adopt a mission-oriented approach, setting tasks and timelines determined by a roadmap. The goal is to achieve a general-purpose quantum computer based on superconductivity class qubits (quantum bits) by 2031. In the sector of quantum communications and quantum sensors, South Korea aims to develop a 100-kilometer-long quantum network for city-to-city demonstrations, GPS-free navigation and quantum radar .

Expanding educational programs and facilities will be critical to achieving the target number of professional quantum researchers. The government plans to increase the current number of researchers from 384 to 2,500 by 2035. The news site reports that it will also send 500 local experts abroad for training in countries such as the United States and the European Union.

According to Pulse, investment in quantum infrastructure is also part of the strategy. The government aims to build a dedicated quantum factory for researchers by 2027, followed by a public sector quantum foundry in 2031 and a private sector quantum foundry in 2035.

To nurture startups in the quantum technology sector, the government plans to support the establishment of 100 companies by 2025. A special district will be designated to provide local government and municipal support, and new laws will be developed to create sustainable support initiatives.

The news site reported that in strengthening collaboration with industry and research institutions, the Ministry of Science and ICT has signed a memorandum of understanding with International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) and quantum computing company IonQ Inc. The partnership will enable local doctoral students and industry workers to receive training from a global quantum company, with IBM and IonQ committing to send researchers to South Korea for training purposes.

South Korea acknowledges its late entry into the development of quantum science and technology, but remains confident in its potential for further industrialization. Minister Lee emphasized, according to the news site, the need for industry, academic institutions and government to work closely together to achieve the goal of becoming a quantum technology powerhouse by 2035.