Quantum Rides the "7 Major SEEDs": Industry, Academia, and Research Unite for Commercialization and Market Creation

Government Selects Quantum as the Next-Generation Frontier

Future Quantum Convergence Forum to Promote Technology Development,

Talent Cultivation, Demonstration, and Commercialization Integration

With the government including Quantum as part of the future growth engine “7 Major SEED” projects, the Korean quantum industry has pledged active participation.

Background Hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, delivers a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of "Quantum Korea 2026" held at DDP in Dongdaemun District, Seoul on July 2, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

The Future Quantum Convergence Forum welcomed the inclusion of quantum in the government’s “SEED” project on August 14, stating that it signifies recognition of quantum as a strategic technology to support South Korea’s economy and security, as well as a next-generation growth engine. The forum involves 218 organizations, including companies such as SK Telecom, KT, LG Electronics, POSCO, and Hyundai Motor, as well as universities and research institutions.

The 7 Major SEEDs are seven advanced technology fields designated by the government to secure future growth engines for the Korean economy over the next 10 to 20 years. They include Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), nuclear fusion, renewable energy, quantum, space and aviation, advanced biotechnology, and advanced materials and components supply chains. In the quantum field, the government aims to secure a quantum processor (QPU) with 100 qubits and error correction capability by 2029, and to attain the world’s top quantum chip manufacturing capability by 2035.

The forum plans to ensure that government investments extend beyond research and development to industrialization, connecting core technology development in quantum computing, communications, and sensing with the fostering of materials, components, and equipment, human resources training, as well as demonstration and commercialization efforts. Companies will increase investment first in quantum communication, security, and sensing fields, which have high commercialization potential, while universities and research institutes will open up foundational technologies and research infrastructure to businesses.

Ryu Takgi, co-chair (Executive Vice President and Head of R&D at SK Telecom), stated, “We will gradually expand private investment, starting from quantum communication, security, and sensing—fields close to commercialization—up to computing, creating a system in which both the public and private sectors work together.”

Kim Jaewan, co-chair (Director at Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science), commented, “The inclusion of quantum among the 7 Major SEEDs means that Korea has chosen quantum as a core pillar of future growth. We will foster a virtuous ecosystem where laboratory research results evolve into company products and services.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.