South Korea's National Quantum Strategy: 3 Trillion Won for Quantum Resistant Leadership by 2035
The Headline Commitment
South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT released the National Quantum Strategy in mid-2023, committing approximately ₩3 trillion (~$2.3 billion USD) of coordinated investment in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. The strategy aims to make South Korea a "Global Hub for Quantum" by 2035, with specific targets for qubit counts, quantum network deployment, and workforce development.
Key Targets
- Quantum Computing: 1,000-qubit universal quantum computer (superconducting) by early 2030s.
- Quantum Communication: 100 km intercity quantum key distribution network.
- Workforce: 2,500 core experts and 10,000 quantum professionals by 2035.
- Industry: 1,200 quantum-related companies by 2035.
The KISTI Partnership with IonQ
In July 2025 the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) secured government funding for the National Quantum Computing Center of Excellence. KISTI named IonQ as the primary hardware partner, with IonQ committed to delivering a 100-qubit trapped-ion system to the center. This makes KISTI one of the first government quantum centers in Asia with a commercial Western-origin quantum computer.
ETRI Photonic Research
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), in partnership with KAIST, demonstrated an 8-photon silicon photonic chip with 6-qubit entanglement in 2024. This confirms South Korean capability in photonic quantum computing, an area with lower cryogenic overhead than superconducting.
Industry Players
- Samsung: significant R&D investment in quantum computing and quantum-safe communication.
- SK Telecom: deploying QKD in parts of its 5G infrastructure and exploring PQC for 6G.
- LG Electronics: quantum research for computing applications.
- NAVER: cloud and PQC integration research.
South Korea's PQC Position
South Korea aligns broadly with NIST PQC standardization. The National Intelligence Service (NIS) sets PQC policy for Korean government systems. Commercial adoption is led by Samsung (chip-level PQC in enterprise products), SK Telecom (telecom PQC hybrid TLS), and NAVER Cloud (platform-level PQC).
Comparison to Regional Neighbors
| Country | National budget | Target date | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | ~$7B quantum+chips | 2050 fault-tolerant QC | Basic research, long horizon |
| South Korea | ~$2.3B | 2035 Global Hub | Commercial scale |
| China | ~$10-15B (reported) | 10-20 years | State-directed, USTC-centered |
| India | ~$730M | 2031 NQM targets | Communication, satellite |
Implications for PQC Migration
- South Korean regulated industries (banking, telecom, healthcare) will likely align with NIST FIPS 203/204/205 plus domestic K-standards by 2028-2030.
- Samsung's role in global chip supply chains means Korean PQC hardware will appear in consumer electronics worldwide.
- SK Telecom's 6G research positions South Korea as a leading contributor to 6G PQC integration.
- The KISTI-IonQ partnership signals South Korea's openness to Western quantum partners, unlike China's more state-directed approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did South Korea launch its National Quantum Strategy?
Mid-2023. Committed approximately ₩3 trillion (~$2.3 billion USD). Published by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
What is KISTI's role?
Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information hosts the National Quantum Computing Center of Excellence. In July 2025 KISTI named IonQ as hardware partner for a 100-qubit trapped-ion system delivery.
Is Samsung involved in PQC?
Yes. Samsung invests in PQC research for chip-level enterprise products and has participated in academic conferences on lattice and code-based cryptography.
Will South Korea set a PQC migration deadline?
Not formally as of April 2026, but regulated industries are expected to align with NIST FIPS 203/204/205. Telecom 5G/6G networks will deploy hybrid ML-KEM in line with 3GPP specifications as they mature.
Sources
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