- Participation from Korea's three major telecom operators, LG Electronics, POSCO as well as multinational companies such as IBM (USA), and IQM (Finland) 

The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter referred to as MSIT) held a launch ceremony* on Tuesday, August 13th, in Seoul for the Quantum Industrial Standard Association (QuINSA), an international standardization organization led by Korea in the field of quantum information technology.

*Host: MSIT

Organizer: QuINSA (Secretariat: Future Quantum Convergence Institute)

Sponsor: Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA)

The term "quantum" refers to the smallest discrete unit of energy, matter, or light that can be individually counted, such as a single photon. In the quantum realm, phenomena* occur that defy the intuition we have based on the macroscopic world. Quantum information technology leverages these phenomena to advance information science.

*Example: Quantum Superposition – A phenomenon where multiple states exist simultaneously within a single quantum system, with the precise state remaining indeterminate until measured.

Utilizing these quantum phenomena has the potential to surpass existing theoretical limits, enhancing measurement precision (quantum sensing), encryption security (quantum communication), and computational speed (quantum computing). Consequently, countries around the world have designated quantum information technology as a strategic national priority and are ramping up their investments. Korea has also been actively pursuing policies to secure leadership in this field, such as the "Korea’s National Quantum Strategy" (June 2023) and the "Quantum Initiative" (April 2024).

※Examples: The U.S. National Quantum Initiative (2018), the U.K. National Quantum Strategy (2023), and Japan's Vision of Quantum Future Society (2022).

Given the transformative potential of quantum information technology for the future industrial ecosystem, global interest in standardization as a crucial link between technology and industry is growing. As the industry is still in its early stages, it is essential to foster the quantum information technology ecosystem, expand international cooperation, and prepare for upcoming global standardization discussions.

QuINSA, launched today, is an international standardization organization led by the private sector, focusing on the standardization of the quantum information technology industry. QuINSA will take on various roles, including facilitating collaboration among experts to develop international standards for specific technologies such as quantum communication, quantum computing, and quantum sensing. It will also monitor and analyze domestic and international trends in quantum information technology standardization, identify and promote case studies and industrial applications, and collaborate with other international standardization bodies.

Founding members of QuINSA include organizations actively developing or commercializing quantum technology. In Korea, 107 companies are participating, ranging from large corporations like SKT, KT, LG U+, LG Electronics, POSCO, and LIG Nex1, to SMEs and startups like IDQ, JIN INFRA, and SDT. International participants include IBM, a global leader in quantum computing, as well as advanced quantum information technology companies such as Qusecure (USA), IQM (Finland), SemiQon (Finland), Quantum Machines (Israel), and BTQ (Canada). It is also reported that Amazon (USA) is considering joining.

[QuINSA Membership Overview] 

During the event, Suvi Sundquist, Director of Northeast Asia at Business Finland, will present on trends in the European quantum information technology ecosystem, and Baek Seung-wook, Director of the National Center for Quantum Technology & Strategy at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), will discuss Korea's quantum information technology policy trends.

Following the launch ceremony, an international academic conference will be held, divided into sessions on quantum communication, sensing, and computing. IBM and IQM will each present on global trends in quantum computing technology, KT will discuss domestic and international quantum communication technology trends, KRISS will cover trends in quantum sensing technology, and SKT will share case studies and trends in the industrialization of quantum information technology.

Cho Sun Hak, Director General of the R&D Investment Coordination Bureau at MSIT, emphasized the importance of industry-led information standardization efforts to rapidly activate the quantum industry ecosystem and promote its industrial applications. He expressed hope that QuINSA, launched under Korea's leadership, will establish itself as a globally recognized information standardization organization and play a pivotal role in advancing international quantum information technology and fostering its ecosystem.

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.