- Quantum Korea 2026 brings together 56 companies and institutions from 12 countries including domestic universities, government-funded research institutes, IBM, IonQ, Quandela, and Pasqal.

- The event will serve as a quantum ecosystem platform that bridges exhibitions, policy, industry, standardization, academia, and international cooperation.

- The event will feature a variety of programs ranging from keynote lectures by globally renowned scholars to public lectures and performances.

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister: Bae Kyung-hoon) announced that it will host “Quantum Korea 2026” for three days, from July 2 to July 4, at the Art Hall of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). The event will bring together quantum science and technology researchers from home and abroad, related companies, and government representatives to provide an overview of global trends in research, industry, and policy within the quantum ecosystem.

Quantum Korea, which was launched in 2023, has grown into Korea’s representative quantum event where governments, researchers, and leading quantum companies from around the world gather together to share the latest technologies and policies. Marking the 100th anniversary of quantum science last year, the event highlighted the potential for commercialization. This year, under the theme of “Quantum in Action, Grand Challenges for Innovation,” it focuses on how quantum technology is being implemented and applied in real research and industrial settings.

This year, 56 companies and leading research teams from 12 countries around the world—which have developed various quantum computing technologies such as photons, neutral atoms, ion traps, and superconductors, and are creating innovative applications based on these advancements—will take part to showcase the frontier of quantum technology. At the same time, the event will advance further as a global quantum ecosystem platform that connects research outcomes with industry and society through programs on international collaboration, academic exchange, industrial application and standardization, and public engagement.

■ [Opening Ceremony & Keynote Lectures] July 2 (Thu) 10:00–11:30 / DDP Art Hall 1, Main Stage (B2)

The opening ceremony, held on the first day of the event, will be attended by approximately 300 people including delegations from countries around the world such as the EU, the UK, Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia, and key figures from industry, academia, and research institutions. Following an opening video that shows the present and future vision of quantum technology, the ceremony will feature an opening speech by Chairperson Kim Tae-hyun of the Quantum Korea Organizing Committee, a welcome speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyung-hoon, of MSIT, and congratulatory remarks from distinguished guests. The event will also honor the hard work of researchers and outstanding talent who have contributed to the advancement of the quantum field through awards for quantum science and technology development and awards for quantum information competition.

In the keynote lectures that follow, globally renowned scholars leading the forefront of quantum research will share their insights and suggest the direction of future quantum technology. The keynote speakers include Professor Isaac Chuang of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is a pioneer who opened the era of quantum computing demonstration by using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and implementing Shor’s algorithm*, which had previously existed only as a mathematical theory, in actual quantum hardware for the first time in the world. During this session, he will deliver a lecture titled “Quantum Engineering: A Systems Challenge.”

* Shor’s algorithm: A key theory proposed by Peter Shor in 1994 that demonstrated that quantum computers can perform integer factorization overwhelmingly faster than conventional computers

Next, Chair Professor Kim Myung-shik of Imperial College London will address the audience in a lecture titled “Quantum Technology: The story so far.” Professor Kim is a world-renowned scholar in the fields of quantum optics and quantum information science. He has contributed to the development of key theories in modern quantum technology including quantum information processing, quantum simulation, and error suppression.

 [International Research and Industry Exhibition] July 2 (Thu)–3 (Fri) / DDP Art Hall 1 and Art Hall 2 (B2)

In line with this year’s slogan, “Quantum in Action, Grand Challenges for Innovation,” the exhibition features tangible industrial achievements demonstrating the real-world application of quantum technology as well as challenging, innovative research outcomes all in one place.

In particular, in the field of quantum computing, the exhibition will display state-of-the-art quantum computers from global leaders such as IBM, Quandela, IonQ, and Pasqal, alongside core technologies and research achievements from Korea’s research teams including the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul National University, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).

In the fields of quantum communications and sensing, at a time when cybersecurity is growing in importance amid threats such as those posed by advanced AI models like Mythos, the exhibition will showcase leading technologies such as quantum cryptographic communication and quantum internet developed by SKT, KT, and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI). It will also unveil the world’s most precise atomic clock (quantum time sensor) by KRISS, and defense quantum sensing technology by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), which is expected to emerge as a core element of future defense through its application in military settings.

In addition, alongside innovative technological achievements from rapidly growing Korean mid-sized companies and SMEs, including SDT Co., Ltd., Megazone Cloud, Withwave, and Korea Quantum Computing, and international exhibition booths organized by the Dutch, Canadian, and Australian embassies in Korea, a total of 56 global companies and institutions from 12 countries will unveil their latest research outcomes and products.

In parallel, technology presentations by 16 participating companies and institutions will take place on the main stage of the exhibition hall (July 2–3), offering attendees the opportunity to hear directly from those driving quantum innovation, as well as strategies and visions for commercialization.

 [Quantum Frontiers Forum] July 2 (Thu)–3 (Fri) / DDP Conference Hall (B2)

The “Quantum Frontiers Forum” is a program that brings together government officials and key figures from industry, academia, and research institutions around the world to discuss quantum policy, technology, industry, and standardization, and to seek opportunities for cooperation. Through this forum, Quantum Korea 2026 aims to establish itself as a platform for international cooperation.

In the first session on policy, government representatives from countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, the EU, France, and Japan will 1) share their national quantum strategies and roadmaps, 2) explain each country’s specialized strategies for making efficient use of limited quantum computing resources and for supporting research, and 3) discuss practical cooperation measures such as research collaboration and infrastructure-sharing systems to complement one another through global partnership.

In the second session on technology and industry, companies such as Quantinuum and PharmCADD will present how they are driving innovation by applying quantum technology to other industries such as chemistry and biotechnology. In addition, leading domestic and international companies including NVIDIA, IonQ, and IDQ Korea will introduce their latest technological innovations in quantum computing and communications.

Amid the growing importance of international standards discussions covering compatibility, security, and performance certification across various quantum technology platforms, the final session will feature national standards research institutes from leading countries such as the US, the UK, and Germany sharing their standardization frameworks and use cases*.

* The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the US, the National Physical Laboratory of the UK, and the National Metrology Institute of Germany (PTB)

 [International Academic Conference] July 1 (Wed)–3 (Fri) / JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul

During the event, the international academic conference “Conference on Quantum Information (CQI) 2026” will also be held. Running for three days under the theme “Think, Talk, Feel Quantum,” the conference will feature lectures and poster sessions by 28 leading researchers spanning the full range of quantum computing, communications, sensing, and convergence technologies, aiming to create academic synergy and expand partnerships among researchers in Korea and abroad.

 [Events for the Public] July 4 (Sat) / DDP Art Hall 1 and Art Hall 2 (B2)

On July 4, the last day of the event, public programs will be held to give general visitors an opportunity to experience the world of quantum science, which can otherwise feel difficult, in an easy and fun way.

In the morning, science communicator Orbit will deliver a public lecture, “The Mysterious Quantum Dictionary You Never Knew You Needed” (10:30-11:30), followed by the Talk Concert (11:30-12:30) hosted by star science creator Science Cookie and entertainer Heo Seong-beom.

In the afternoon, five leading quantum experts from home and abroad, including Professor Park Kwon of the Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Professor Choi Joon-hee of Stanford University, Director Kim Ki-whan of the Institute for Basic Science, Professor Kim Se-jeong of Sungkyunkwan University, and Senior Researcher Lee Jung-hyun of KIST, will deliver lectures for SEBASI 15 (15 Minutes that Change the World, 13:00-15:00).

In addition, Quantum Korea 2026 features a wide range of other programs such as Quantum Art Exhibition (by Ewha Womans University’s Center for Quantum Nanoscience), which visualizes qubits and quantum superposition, the play “Quantum Warfare” (July 2, Thu: 11:30-12:30, July 3, Fri: 12:00-13:00) which reinterprets the debates between Einstein and Bohr, and the participatory Science Magic Show (July 4, Sat). The event also offers the Quantum Lounge, a resting area where science, culture, and art blend together, offering visitors multisensory experiences.

 [Global Networking] Quantum Networking Reception (Luncheon) and Quantum Business

Networking Night (Banquet)

In addition, Quantum Korea 2026 has arranged various opportunities for networking and collaboration. At the “Quantum Networking Reception” (July 2, Thu, 11:30, DDP Design Lab JandiSarangbang (4F)) that will be held right after the opening ceremony, Koo Hyuk-chae, 1st Vice Minister of Science and ICT, will welcome delegations from around the world as well as scholars and business leaders to foster connections and cooperation between domestic and international quantum ecosystems.

On that same evening, the “Quantum Business Networking Night” (July 2, Thu, 18:30, Novotel Dongdaemun) will bring together approximately 200 participants including representatives from domestic and international quantum technology companies. As quantum technology moves beyond the laboratory and enters a phase of full-scale commercialization, this event is intended to foster close partnerships and business cooperation opportunities among companies.

“Innovation in quantum technology is no longer a story of the distant future,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae said, “It is already unfolding before our very eyes.” He also added “Quantum Korea 2026 is a meaningful occasion where you can witness the vivid scene of this bold challenge.”

He went on to say, “The government is boldly expanding investment in national strategic technologies and new future industries, and among these, quantum is a core national strategic technology that will lead Korea’s future along with semiconductors and AI.” He also added, “The government will continue to move forward to become a nation that leads in quantum technology and industry through various policy support including Quantum Korea.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Please refer to the attached PDF.