KISTEP held the 155th KISTEP Wednesday Forum on March 8 under the theme of 'Quantum computing R&D and innovation strategy'.

▲ Byung-Seon Jeong, President of KISTEP

In the opening remarks, President Jeong said, “Recently, quantum technology is being designated and developed as one of the national strategic technologies, but the investment scale and manpower are still absolutely insufficient. It would be great to discuss here today how to advance and take the lead in quantum technology.”

▲ Presentation by Jaewan Kim, Vice President of Korea Institute for Advanced Study (KIAS)

Jaewan Kim, vice president of KIAS, gave an overview and the global status of quantum information technology and suggested the direction of quantum technology policy in Korea.

“Quantum information technology uses ‘quantum superposition’ and ‘quantum entanglement’ to overcome the limitations of nanotechnology in existing quantum physics and has achieved a new innovative technology by converging with digital technology,” Dr. Kim said. He introduced ‘quantum computer, quantum cryptography, quantum sensor, quantum metrology, and quantum imaging’ as representative fields of application.

“In order to address the shortfall of human resources in quantum information technology R&D in Korea, support for individual researchers, giving motivation to companies, establishing long-term education courses, and training non-experts and companies to learn quantum technology are required,” Dr. Kim added.

In addition, he gave an opinion on how to solve Korea’s incompetence in quantum technology. “We have to secure and upgrade materials·parts·equipment and brace for the strategic technology policy of advanced countries.”

In the panel discussion presided over by Youngsoo Ryu (Director General of the Office of R&D Budget and Feasibility Analysis, KISTEP), participants including Yong Ho Lee (Head of the Center for Superconducting Quantum Computing System, KRISS), Dongho Kim (Senior Vice President at POSCO), and Joonwoo Bae (Professor of the Quantum Information Theory Lab, KAIST) had an in-depth discussion.

▲ Yong Ho Lee, Head of the Center for Superconducting Quantum Computing System, KRISS

“We lack research funds, manpower, and social infrastructure for quantum technology, but in particular, we lack a ‘system’ for it,” Dr. Lee pointed out. “Developing a technology that optimizes the combination of elementary and system technology is a major challenge facing Korea at present. A system in which demand can lead the research must be established,” he suggested.

▲ Dongho Kim, Senior Vice President at POSCO

Dongho Kim, Senior Vice President at POSCO, said, “The Korean government's investment in quantum technology is remarkably insufficient.” He suggested taking a two-track strategy in terms of technology development while expanding the investment. “Short-term and efficient R&D should be carried out by businesses while academia and research institutes should plan challenging research to prepare for the next generation, even if it is not easy to utilize right away,” he added.

▲ Joonwoo Bae, Professor of the Quantum Information Theory Lab, KAIST

Joonwoo Bae, Professor at KAIST, said, “Quantum can encompass almost all areas of the universe,” and optimistically evaluated that crossover research will be possible regardless of the field. “A mission-oriented quantum information technology (research) policy can lead to the achievements in all areas of basic research and application. It is necessary to pioneer new academic fields of vision,” he added.