The Korean Wave is coming! South Korea's 95.3 billion won budget supports quantum technology
On June 28, South Korea passed the "Adjustment of National Research and Development Business Budget Allocation for FY2023 (Proposal)" [1].
Korea's R&D budget for 2023 is 24.6601 trillion won (128.2 billion RMB). The new government will invest 3.4791 trillion won in strategic technologies such as semiconductors, cutting-edge biology, aerospace, and quantum, 2.33 trillion won in green energy, and 2.42 trillion won in digital transformation, etc.
Among them, the most priority areas for development are semiconductors and next-generation nuclear power plant technology, etc., in order to strengthen the strategic technology competitiveness of these industries. The government will invest 1.962 trillion won, an increase of 7.7% from the previous year; 489.5 billion won, an increase of 8.5% from the previous year, will be invested in the field of semiconductors and displays to focus on developing core technologies for next-generation semiconductor systems and displays to ensure Korea's competitiveness in the world market.
In particular, 95.3 billion won (about 500 million yuan, up 36.3% year-on-year) will be supported in the field of quantum computing, 758.5 billion won (11.7%) in the field of artificial intelligence robotics, and 130.5 billion won (8.9%) in the field of cyber security.
On June 29, the French Embassy in Korea and Atos, a digital services company, co-hosted a conference on "Strengthening Next Generation High Performance Computing (HPC) Capabilities through Scientific and Industrial Collaboration" in Korea [2].
Dr. Cérdic Bourrasset, Global Director of High Performance Artificial Intelligence Computing, Atos
Core individuals and pioneers in HPC came together to discuss how to create synergies to accelerate the journey of Korea and France toward the next-generation supercomputer, Exascale (ten trillion subcomputing). They agreed that cooperation between Korea and France should focus on three priorities: strengthening scientific collaboration in HPC, AI and quantum computing; developing classical-hybrid architectures; and nurturing human resources and enhancing training.
Korea has been working to optimize HPC resources and is a leader in the global HPC community," said the Korea Institute of Science, Technology and Information (KISTI). Korea now aims to create a unique industrial ecosystem in HPC and quantum computing."
Kim Myung-sik, a professor at Imperial College London, even compared quantum technology to the Korean pop culture K-POP, giving a keynote speech on "The Future of Quantum Computers" at the opening ceremony of the "2022 Quantum Information Week" [3] at the Seoul Marriott Hotel on June 27. . "Quantum technology development is the best technology ever developed by mankind. If the Republic of Korea succeeds in developing this technology, it will be a source of pride for the country, just as we are proud of K-POP."
Kim Myung-sik, a professor at Imperial College in the UK, delivers a keynote speech at the opening of Quantum Information Week at the JW Marriott Hotel in Seoul.
South Korea is taking steps to accelerate the development of quantum technology, and on June 9, the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) said it plans to develop a 50-quantum-bit quantum computer by the end of 2026, aiming to catch up with the United States and China, which are far ahead in the field of quantum computing.
[1]https://www.hellodd.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=97345
[2]http://www.ksw-news.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=415893
[3]https://mobile.newsis.com/view.html?ar_id=NISX20220627_0001921660
