South Korea is poised to take a significant leap in developing the “quantum internet,” a next-generation network that promises dramatically enhanced data transmission speed and security performance.
The government plans to demonstrate a 100km quantum cryptography communication technology using “entangled photons” early next year. This milestone will put the country on par with advanced nations like the United States and China.
This breakthrough is thanks to the efforts of the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), which has secured wired transmission technology for a 100km section with over 90% reliability. President Yoon Suk Yeol has been briefed on the progress, and the government plans to launch a large-scale research and development project worth several hundred billion won to develop the technology further.
The demonstration will be linked to the launch of the “Quantum Strategy Committee,” a national quantum technology policy control tower that will oversee the country’s quantum strategy. Companies like Google and IBM are also working on similar technologies, and researchers at Harvard University have made significant advancements in this field.
Securing the Future of Quantum Technology: South Korea’s Ambitious Plans
As the world hurtles towards a future dominated by quantum technology, South Korea is making bold moves to secure its place at the forefront of this revolution. With a comprehensive plan to develop and commercialize quantum technologies, the government aims to bridge the gap between its current capabilities and those of leading nations like the United States and China.
At the heart of this strategy lies the development of a 100km quantum cryptography communication technology using entangled photons. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize secure communication, leveraging the principles of quantum superposition and entanglement to ensure unconditional security. By 2032, the government plans to develop an “entanglement purification quantum repeater,” a facility that can realize long-distance quantum internet by connecting various communication sections.
The Quantum Science and Technology Flagship Project: A Beacon of Hope
The Quantum Science and Technology Flagship Project, a large-scale research and development initiative worth several hundred billion won, will drive the development of three major quantum technologies: quantum internet, quantum computers, and quantum sensors. In the field of quantum computers, the project aims to develop 1,000-qubit technology by 2032, matching the performance of global big tech companies like Google and IBM.
The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science has already made significant strides in this area, developing a 20-qubit domestic quantum computer that is set to be commercialized as a cloud service soon. Yonsei University has also introduced IBM’s 127-qubit high-performance quantum computer for the first time in the country.
Fostering the Quantum Industry: A National Priority
The government recognizes the importance of fostering the quantum industry, and to this end, it plans to launch the Quantum Strategy Committee, a national control tower composed of up to 20 members, including the prime minister, officials from eight ministries, and private experts. This committee will be responsible for devising comprehensive quantum plans, basic and development plans for quantum clusters, and coordinating important government policies.
The Ministry of Science and ICT, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Intelligence Service will participate to devise response measures for the impact on national security and defense. The Quantum Technology Industry Act, which took effect last month, includes government support regulations for establishing the comprehensive quantum plan, building research and industrial hubs, creating an ecosystem, and fostering talent.
A Sense of Urgency: Catching Up with Global Leaders
The government’s full-scale engagement in fostering the quantum field is driven by a sense of urgency that the golden time for technological preemption is running out. According to the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “Advanced Bio, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Quantum Global R&D Strategic Roadmap,” South Korea’s quantum technology level is the lowest among the 12 major countries, including the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan.
South Korea’s scores, reflecting papers, patents, and expert qualitative evaluations, were the lowest among the 12 countries, with 2.3 points in quantum computing, 2.9 points in quantum communication, and 2.9 points in quantum sensing. This is significantly lower than the United States, which scored 100 points in quantum computing and 84.8 points in quantum communication, and China, which scored 82.5 points in quantum communication.
As South Korea embarks on this ambitious journey to secure its place in the quantum technology landscape, it is clear that the stakes are high. The country’s ability to catch up with global leaders will depend on its capacity to invest in research and development, foster talent, and create an ecosystem conducive to innovation.
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