The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation (KISTEP, President Jeong Byeong-sun) held a conference on January 13 (Thursday) at the Press Center with the Seoul Newspaper under the title 'Beyond Digital to the Age of Quantum (Quantum)' to discuss the future of quantum technology and Korea’s response plan.

KISTEP President Jeong Byeong-seon, Professor of Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Kim Jae-wan, Duke University Professor Kim Jeong-sang (US quantum computing startup IonQ CTO), and Lee Kyung-soo Director of Science and Technology Innovation Division of the Ministry of Science and ICT participated in this conference.

▲  conference on ‘Going beyond digital to the age of quantum’

In the discussion about the necessity of fostering quantum technology as a national strategic technology for national security and survival, President Jeong Byeong-sun said, “It is true that there is a gap between Korea and advanced countries in the field of quantum technology but like the development of DRAM semiconductors in the 1990s, if the government concentrates on the development of core technologies and pursues a strategy of running together with the industry at the same time, it will be possible to catch up quickly.”

In addition, President Jeong Byeong-sun explained the international cooperation strategy that Korea should take and said, “When establishing a quantum technology roadmap and R&D strategy, the important thing in international cooperation is ‘give and receive’, so we need to discover areas where we can have a competitive edge and invest intensively.” He also emphasized, “If we create a related industrial ecosystem based on this, we will be able to gain an edge in technological competition as well as influx of foreign experts.”

▲ Jeong Byeong-seon, KISTEP President

▲  Kim Jeong-sang, Duke University Professor (US quantum computing startup IonQ CTO)

Next, Professor Kim Jeong-sang explained that countries around the world are responding to quantum technology, saying, “In the United States and Europe, as well as in China, investment in the commercialization of quantum technology is increasing, and companies are also increasingly interested.”

Regarding the securing of quantum technology experts, Lee Kyung-soo, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Division, said, “Currently, there are about 150 quantum researchers in Korea. The government is making efforts to create jobs that can stably absorb the manpower produced until an industrial ecosystem is formed based on the commercialization of quantum technology in the future.”

Professor Jae-Wan Kim, citing 'spin-off' technology as an important point when forming an industrial ecosystem as an example, said “It is important to develop an awareness that it is important to try and learn from failure in a new field because the know-how acquired in the process of failure can be used in unexpected fields.”

▲ Lee Kyung-soo, Head of the Science and Technology Innovation Division

 ▲ Kim Jae-wan, Professor of Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

▲ commemorative photo