Injection of over $2.3 billion! Korea strives to become a Quantum Four
By 2035, South Korea will invest more than 3 trillion won ($2.3 billion) in quantum science and technology, with the goal of becoming the fourth largest global power in the field.
-- a capital allocation that is more than ten times the country's quantum technology funding between 2019 - 2023. "This is the first year for Korea to make a leap in quantum science," said Lee Jong-ho.
On June 27, South Korea's Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho announced that the government plans to boost quantum technology by 2035.
By 2027, the government will inject a total of 600 billion won into the private sector; then, given the pace of technological development and commerce, more money may be invested. Notably, this investment commitment is down from the 3.5 trillion won tentatively set in May. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, this is because the private sector has not yet decided on the amount of funding for 2028 to 2035.
South Korea's specific goal is to increase its advancement rate in quantum technology from 62.5 percent today to 85 percent in the U.S. by 2035.
South Korea plans to increase the number of doctoral quantum researchers from the current 384 to 2,500 by 2023, and to increase the workforce with bachelor's and master's degrees from 1,000 to 10,000. Each year, 500 indigenous experts will also be sent overseas.
In terms of quantum infrastructure, the government plans to establish a quantum factory exclusively for quantum researchers by 2027, a public sector quantum foundry by 2031 and a private sector quantum foundry by 2035.
The government also has an ambitious plan to improve its global quantum technology ranking from the current 10th place (1.8%) to 4th place and 10% market share by 2035. In addition, it aims to increase the number of local companies supplying or using the technology from 80 to 1,200 in the same period.
In addition, the Korean authorities will commercialize quantum computers with more than 1,000 quantum bits, national communication networks and sensors related to the technology in phases.
South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol speaks at a government briefing on investments in quantum technology.
Earlier in the announcement by the science and ICT department, President Yoon Seok-yeol had said the government would create a platform to connect Korean quantum researchers around the world. "The authorities will build a strong infrastructure to develop quantum computing systems, communications and sensors based on the platform."
The president said quantum technology has great potential to change the world and will revolutionize the economy as well as the chemical, medical, security and energy sectors.
Now, major companies in South Korea are also stepping up their efforts to develop and use quantum technology in their businesses.
- Since April of this year, Hyundai Motor has been using quantum computing to find cheaper alternatives to platinum (hydrogenation catalysts). The South Korean auto giant plans to replace the expensive metal used in its hydrogen fuel cell passenger car NEXO.
- Samsung is working on controlling the quantum tunneling effect that occurs when making 1-nanometer chips - a tunneling effect that can interrupt ultra-fine semiconductor processes.
- Home appliance giant LG has been using quantum computing to research new materials for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and robotic navigation.
- SK Telecom, South Korea's top mobile operator, has developed a quantum random number generator (QRNG) chip that has been used in the Samsung Galaxy Quantum series to enhance the privacy security of smartphones.
SK Telecom has developed a quantum random number generator chip for Samsung smartphones
- Steel giant POSCO is also using quantum algorithms to develop battery materials.
Meanwhile, the government has strengthened its cooperation with industry and research institutions.
The Ministry of Science and ICT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) and quantum computing company IonQ Inc. to train quantum experts and ensure that local doctoral students and industrial workers can receive training from global quantum companies.
IBM plans to send 15 of its quantum researchers abroad in the second half of the year, while IonQ Inc. will send personnel for group training in Korea.
"Although Korea has been a latecomer in the development of quantum science and technology, there is still great potential for further industrialization in this field," Lee Jong-ho believes, "In order for Korea to become a powerhouse in quantum technology by 2035, industry, academic institutions and the government must work together and make more efforts."
Reference links:
[1]https://www.kedglobal.com/tech,-media-telecom/newsView/ked202306270025
[2]https://pulsenews.co.kr/view.php?year=2023&no=489157
