NewKerala.com

South Korea Aims to Lead Global Quantum Chip Production by 2035

South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT has released a comprehensive roadmap to establish the country as a world leader in the quantum industry, with a goal of becoming the top quantum chip producer by 2035. The plan includes cultivating 10,000 experts, nurturing 2,000 businesses, and designating five "quantum clusters" to drive national transformation. The government is backing this ambition with a significant 2026 R&D budget of $5.6 billion, a 25.4% increase, focusing on future tech like quantum science and biotechnology. Strategic partnerships, including an MoU with US-based IonQ and a consultative body with major Korean firms like Samsung and LG, underscore a concerted push to secure homegrown quantum technologies.

Key Points: South Korea's Quantum Industry Roadmap Targets Top Producer by 2035

  • Become top quantum chip producer by 2035
  • Foster 10,000 quantum experts and 2,000 businesses
  • Establish five national quantum clusters
  • Invest $5.6 billion in 2026 science and ICT R&D
  • Partner with US firm IonQ for joint research
2 min read

S.Korea's Science ministry unveils road map for quantum industry

South Korea unveils a quantum industry plan to produce top quantum chips by 2035, fostering 10,000 experts and investing billions in R&D.

"Quantum technology is a formidable innovation that will determine a nation's competitiveness in the post-AI era. - Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon"

Seoul, Jan 29

South Korea's science ministry on Thursday unveiled the road map to foster the quantum industry, aiming to become the world's top quantum chip producer by 2035.

The Ministry of Science and ICT stated that the plan includes fostering 10,000 experts in the field and nurturing 2,000 businesses, to secure homegrown quantum technologies that can deliver industrial breakthroughs by building advancements in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, Yonhap news agency reported.

The government will designate five locations by July to establish what it calls "quantum clusters" that will lead the country's quantum transformation, the ministry added.

"Quantum technology is a formidable innovation that will determine a nation's competitiveness in the post-AI era," Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said in a release.

"The government will mobilize all national capabilities across industry, academia, research institutions, and the public sector to help South Korea emerge as a global hub for quantum technology and industry through the comprehensive plan and the cluster blueprint," he added.

The science ministry also inked a memorandum of understanding with US-based quantum computing firm IonQ, centered on the American company establishing a joint research center in South Korea and investing US$15 million over the next three years.

Major South Korean firms, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and SK Telecom Co., additionally launched a quantum technology consultative body to discuss cooperation, the ministry said.

Earlier this month, the ministry said it will invest $5.6 billion) on research and development in science and information and communications technology in 2026.

The budget, up 25.4 per cent from a year earlier, consists of 6.44 trillion won for science and technology and 1.68 trillion won for ICT, according to the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The ministry said the expanded spending is intended to promote innovation-led growth amid global economic uncertainty and prolonged low growth, while advancing South Korea's push to become one of the world's top three artificial intelligence powers.

In the science and technology sector, the government will increase spending in future technologies such as biotechnology and quantum science, while strengthening core technologies to secure a competitive edge in key industries, including semiconductors and secondary batteries, it said.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Very impressive roadmap! The focus on creating 'quantum clusters' is smart. We have our IITs and IISc which could be perfect for such hubs. Hope our Science & Tech ministry is taking notes. Collaboration with US firms like IonQ is also a great move for tech transfer.
R
Rohit P
$5.6 billion R&D budget with a 25% increase! 😲 That's serious commitment. While we have initiatives, the scale and speed of South Korea's public-private partnership (Samsung, LG involved) is something to learn from. Quantum + AI is the next big thing.
S
Sarah B
As someone in tech, this is exciting but also a wake-up call. The global race for quantum supremacy is real. India has brilliant minds, but we need more structured industry-academia programs and funding that doesn't get stuck in bureaucracy. Let's not be left behind.
V
Vikram M
Good for them. But I hope we are focusing on our strengths too. We can't just copy others. Our National Quantum Mission is a start, but execution is key. We need to ensure our research actually leads to commercial products and patents, not just papers.
K
Karthik V
The target of 10,000 experts is ambitious. Where will they find the teachers? This is a challenge we also face. We need to revamp our engineering and physics curriculum at the UG level itself to include quantum fundamentals. The human resource pipeline is crucial.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50