- The new act establishes a legislative foundation for becoming a global pivot state in the quantum economy.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced that the Act on Promotion of Quantum Science, Technology, and Industry (abbreviated as the "Quantum Technology and Industry Act") will come into effect on November 1.
In order to transcend the limitations of existing technologies and foster quantum technology and industry as game-changers for future advanced industries and national security, the government has designated "Building a Foundation for Quantum Technology and Industry to Become a Quantum Powerhouse" as a national policy task and has been devising systematic and comprehensive development measures.
In particular, there was a shared consensus among the government and lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties on the need for a legal framework to foster quantum science research and systematically promote the quantum industry. Consequently, a unified draft of the Quantum Technology and Industry Act was jointly prepared and unanimously passed in the National Assembly’s plenary session in October 2023. Subsequently, a presidential decree specifying detailed procedures delegated by the Act was finalized during the Cabinet meeting on October 22.
The Quantum Technology and Industry Act includes provisions such as:
● Establishing a comprehensive plan for medium- to long-term strategies (Quantum Comprehensive Plan).
● Forming an inter-ministerial Quantum Strategy Committee.
● Creating research and industrial hubs to consolidate national capabilities.
● Developing a quantum ecosystem, including talent development and management throughout the whole cycle.
● Facilitating technology commercialization to create a virtuous cycle between research and industry.
● Supporting strategic international cooperation.
❶ Establishing a comprehensive framework for fostering quantum science and technology (including quantum communication, sensor, and computer) and systematically promoting the quantum industry.
The Act sets out a comprehensive policy encompassing quantum technologies such as communication, sensing, and computing; quantum support technologies (e.g., materials, components, and equipment essential for implementation); and quantum industrial development, thereby contributing to scientific innovation, national security, and economic growth. (Articles 1-3)
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[ Overview of Quantum Science and Supporting Technologies ] |
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◇ Quantum Communication: Connecting quantum devices by storing, converting, and transmitting quantum information; includes secure (wiretap-proof) quantum cryptographic communication.
◇ Quantum Sensors: Ultra-precise sensors surpassing the limitations of conventional sensors (e.g., quantum magnetic resonance imaging devices for micro-cancer detection, quantum radars for detecting stealth technology).
◇ Quantum Computers: Ultra-fast computation in areas beyond the capabilities of supercomputers (e.g., drug and new material development, decryption).
◇ Quantum Supporting Technologies: Technologies essential for the realization of quantum science and technology, though not directly utilizing quantum mechanical properties for information (e.g., cryogenic refrigeration systems, laser technologies for ultra-fine control)
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❷ Creating a Quantum Strategy Committee and establishing a Quantum Comprehensive Plan to focus inter-ministerial capabilities.
The Act establishes a Quantum Strategy Committee chaired by the Prime Minister, composed of up to 20 members, including experts from eight government ministries and private-sector (Article 7). A comprehensive inter-ministerial plan will be developed every five years (Article 5).
The Committee will analyze the broad impact of quantum technology on the nation as a whole, including defense and advanced industries, and devise measures to respond to national security risks in encryption systems in public and financial sectors. (Article 10)
❸ Building hubs for mobilizing quantum-related industry-academia-research capabilities, nurturing quantum industry, and promoting integration with advanced industries.
The Act establishes the foundation for designating Quantum Science Research Centers as key hubs for industry-academic-research collaboration (Article 18) and provides legal grounds for creating Quantum Industry Collaboration Clusters. These clusters are envisioned to accelerate quantum technology development, facilitate industry growth and integration with advanced industries, and manage the outcomes of these efforts. Based on these legal provisions, a basic plan for the Quantum Industry Collaboration Clusters will be formulated in 2025 (Articles 24-28).
❹ Developing the quantum ecosystem, with a particular focus on fostering talent, attracting and utilizing skilled professionals, and selecting and supporting specialized educational institutions for workforce development.
The Act supports a full-cycle approach to developing the quantum ecosystem, including building foundational infrastructure such as core quantum technology research facilities (fabs), fostering skilled professionals, ensuring their retention, and selecting and supporting specialized educational institutions, such as universities and graduate schools, dedicated to fostering quantum experts. (Articles 21-23)
❺ Facilitating industrialization by providing comprehensive support and special provisions to facilitate the commercialization of quantum technology developments, establishing a virtuous cycle between technology development and commercialization.
The Act establishes a framework to promote the commercialization of quantum technologies, foster startups, and support the growth of enterprises, thereby building a virtuous cycle ecosystem between quantum technology development and the quantum industry (Articles 14 and 16). To encourage corporate participation, the Act also provides special provisions allowing companies to obtain exclusive licenses when technologies are transferred (Article 13).
❻ Advancing strategic international cooperation to accelerate technology advancement and strengthen collaborative efforts.
The Act facilitates international joint research, overseas training and exchanges for domestic talent, collaboration with international organizations and foreign governments, support for private-sector partnerships, and efforts toward international standardization (Article 29). It also supports the attraction of outstanding overseas research and development centers to Korea (Article 30).
Based on this Act, the MSIT plans to establish the Quantum Comprehensive Plan and implementation strategies starting next year.
Minister Yoo Sang-Im emphasized, "Quantum science and technology is one of the three game-changing technologies selected by the government, and it is critically important to secure technological leadership ahead of competitors in this technology. With the enactment of the Quantum Technology and Industry Act, a strong institutional foundation is now in place to support the quantum sector. We will spare no effort in positioning Korea as a global leader in the quantum economy."
※ The full text of the Quantum Technology and Industry Act is available on the National Law Information Center.
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.