사진 확대 The Ministry of Science and ICT held “Quantum Korea 2025” at the aT Center in Seoul from the 24th to the 26th. Visitors, including Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT, are listening to the explanation of the quantum computer on display. Ministry of Science and ICT
“QuEra Computing, founded by researchers at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is at the forefront of developing neutral atom-based quantum computers. We are looking for a Korean company to actively cooperate with us.” (Tomaso Macri, Curea Computing Customer Management Director)
“SDT” is a quantum manufacturer development and production (ODM) company that produces ultra-precise and ultra-fast performance products and services used in quantum technology. “We welcome domestic and global cooperation with open arms.” (Yoon Ji-won, CEO of SDT)
At 3 p.m. on the 24th, 31 bilateral companies from South Korea and the U.S. gathered in the creation room of the aT Center in Seoul. The companies that participated in Quantum Korea 2025, the world’s largest bilateral research and industry exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, set out to establish a cooperative system between the two countries with the aim of industrializing quantum technology at the Korea-U.S. Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) Roundtable.
At the Quantum Korea 2025 event held from the 24th to the 26th of this month, 57 quantum companies and institutions from eight countries gathered together to view the global quantum ecosystem innovation trend. Quantum Korea, which began in 2023, has established itself as the world’s largest quantum research and industry exhibition in name and reality. The number of visitors this year was 5,765.
The two are the smallest units that can no longer be separated. Quantum, which means quantum in English, means ‘unit’ in Latin. Scientists found the atomic nucleus centered inside the atom and found electrons around it. The atomic nucleus is made up of protons and neutrons, and there is a ‘quark’ inside the neutrons. All of them are adopted. The quantum is not one type, but rather a collective term for very small matter and energy.
The reason why technology using quantum is attracting attention is because it is a disruptive innovative technology that uses quantum-specific characteristics such as overlapping to overcome the limitations of existing technologies. In particular, it is expected to bring a new paradigm in fields such as sensors, computing, and communication.
사진 확대 The United Nations celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of quantum mechanics, which was the basis of quantum technology, and noted this possibility and declared this year as the ‘Year of the Quantum’. The market research company “Fresidence Research” estimated the global quantum technology market to be $1.32 billion (about 1.8011 trillion won) last year and predicted that it will grow to $9.65 billion (about 13.1674 trillion won) by recording an annual average growth rate of 22% by 2034.
As a result, each country is engaged in a fierce battle for the preoccupation of the quantum technology market. South Korea is also actively investing in quantum technology. According to the analysis of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Korea, along with the UK, is the leader in bilateral investment relative to gross domestic product (GDP). It also launched a large-scale project on the 26th. It has decided to invest 645.4 billion won for eight years in developing 1,000-qubit quantum computers.
However, Korea’s quantum technology level is currently different from that of the world’s leading countries. According to the “Global Quantum Technology Based on Paper Data” report published in May last year by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), Korea’s quantum technology research is ranked 16th in the world. It is time for strategic international cooperation to boost quantum technology and pioneer industrialization paths.
Quantum Korea is expected to serve as a hub for global bilateral cooperation. This year, Quantum Korea held various international networking events, including the “Quantum Dialogue,” the Korea-EU roundtable, and OECD workshops, involving governments from 17 countries, industry-academic experts, and Embassy officials in Korea. It is expected to serve as an opportunity to reveal the Korean government’s willingness to actively foster quantum technology overseas, while serving as a bridge between domestic quantum companies.
IonQ, an American quantum computer company that participated in this year’s event, formed a consortium in cooperation with KISTI. The consortium was recently selected as a candidate for the ‘Quantum Computing Service and Utilization System Construction Project’ promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
[Reporter Go Jaewon]