Quantum Korea 2025
Seoul proudly presents Quantum Korea 2025 this month, cementing its position as the worldwide quantum hub. This international conference of researchers, government officials, industry pioneers, and institutions is carefully organised to facilitate the crucial transition from fundamental quantum physics to broad practical application. The event, “100 Years of Quantum, Awakening Industry,” symbolises the shift from theoretical physics to practical implementation across sectors.
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Quantum Korea 2025 is held June 24–26 in Gangnam’s Centre by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT. Its timing coincides with the UN’s International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, underlining its worldwide significance and South Korea’s desire to lead quantum industrialisation A coordinated national statement, the event shows the country’s deep commitment to this innovative sector.
The plan carefully balances quantum technology’s research and industrial potential. Dr. Celia Merzbacher, Executive Director of QED-C, on policy; Prof. Oskar Painter, Director of Quantum Hardware at AWS, on hardware; and Prof. Eun-Ah Kim of Cornell University, on theory, are addressing attendees.
Participants attend a variety of sessions over three days, including:
- Academic and industry panels.
- Public talks for a wider audience.
- A massive worldwide exhibition showcasing commercial items, startups, national policies, and crucial cross-border relationships.
- A Quantum Business Networking Night for vital connections.
- Exclusive policy roundtables with South Korea and Switzerland, Finland, and the Netherlands, highlighting international cooperation.
Sessions cover important subjects like:
- “Quantum Computing: From Prototype to Utility-Scale” .
- “Quantum Key Distribution and Network Scaling” .
- “Quantum Materials and Sensing Applications” .
- OECD Open Workshop on “Societal and Governance Implications”.
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The convergence of public, corporate, and academic players under one roof is crucial. It shows and reinforces the idea that quantum technology’s success depends on shared infrastructure, policy alignment, and narrative consistency.
South Korea’s Deep-Rooted Commitment to Quantum Advancement
The South Korean quantum technology policy is industry-focused and forward-thinking. It spent 4.8% of GDP on R&D in 2020, second to Israel. Science and technology are vital to the nation’s future, hence the government funds 30% of R&D. Korea’s strong presence in the Semiconductor and IT industries, where Samsung and Hynix dominate market shares and have cutting-edge semiconductor process technology, provides a vital source of quantum process researchers. Korea, a “IT powerhouse” with a large proportion of the global game software market, is a great place for software programmers to build quantum computing and sensing applications.
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Over 100 researchers, founders, and officials met in Seoul on June 18 for the Quantum Technology Industrialisation Forum, which preceded Quantum Korea 2025. Korea’s “dynamic” research scene and “rapid growth of government investment” were highlighted in this forum’s focus on bringing quantum technology into industry, company roadmaps, and public life.
New national quantum technology priorities include:
- Verifying 1,000 quantum technology applications in important sectors.
- Creating quantum platforms for ten important industries.
- Practical, site-based training for 10,000 skilled workers. Oh Seung-cheol, Director of the Ministry’s Industrial Infrastructure Division, said, “Commercialisation of quantum technology should start from the possibility of using it in industrial sites”.
In mid-2023, the Science and ICT Ministry finalised a national quantum plan. This strategy aims to make Korea a global quantum economy leader by 2035 with a coordinated investment of ₩3 trillion (about $2.3 billion This strategy covers infrastructure, education, cybersecurity, commercialisation, and global cooperation.
The national strategy has seven main pillars:
- Building a superconducting 1,000-qubit global quantum computer.
- Develop a 100 kilometre intercity quantum network with next-generation quantum sensors.
- Training 2,500 core and 10,000 quantum practitioners.
- Startup funding and innovation zones help 1,200 quantum enterprises form.
- Change to post-quantum cryptography using sovereign Korean encryption.
- Increasing global R&D cooperation with specific institutes and exchange programs.
- Passing a new “Act on Nurturing Quantum Science, Technology, and Industry” to maintain policy.
A January 2025 roundtable between President Yoon Suk-yeol and renowned ETH Zurich researchers influenced this strategic strategy, signalling Korea’s definitive change from fragmented research to a cohesive, industrially applicable path. MSIT Minister Lee Jong-ho stated after the strategy’s introduction that South Korea had a “golden opportunity” to surge forward and become a global quantum economy leader despite its late entry. Taking the journey “From Digital to Quantum,” the goal is to become a “Leading Country” in the 2030s by boosting energy and security. This concept is carefully phased into “Basis” (2021-2024), “Applications” (2025-2030), and “Industry” (2031-2035).
At the forefront: ecosystem orchestration and global collaboration
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The Quantum Insider, a leading quantum technology media and market intelligence provider, is at Quantum Korea 2025 to document South Korea’s integrated quantum strategy, engage with public and private stakeholders, and connect international insight with industrial execution in real time. This direct engagement captures Korea’s national policy and its links with startups and public stakeholders in depth.
