South Korea will launch cloud services utilizing quantum computers in the second half of this year. In August, it will commence test flights for urban air mobility (UAM) in the capital region to further its commercialization.

Quantum computers, future computers utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics, are considered game changers for enabling the understanding of natural phenomena that were previously beyond human comprehension. The utility and potential of quantum computers are limitless, leading nations worldwide to devote themselves to developing quantum computing as if developing nuclear weapons. The photo shows Google's quantum computer, Sycamore. /The Chosunilbo

On Feb. 14, the government announced the implementation plan for major projects under the New Growth 4.0 strategy at an emergency ministerial meeting on economic affairs chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok. The plan includes opening a domestically developed 20-qubit (the basic unit of quantum computing) quantum computer cloud service to the private sector in the latter half of this year. Quantum computers are ultra-fast computers that perform complex computations using quantum phenomena, which classical mechanics cannot explain. The goal is to achieve 50 qubits of quantum computer technology by 2026 and to scale up to 1,000 qubits by 2032.

To commercialize next-generation UAM by next year, the government will begin actual verification tests in urban areas. Plans include preparing customized regulatory exemptions for these verifications in metropolitan areas, such as the Ara Waterway from August this year to March next year, the Han River from April to May next year, and the Tancheon from May to June next year, while securing the necessary frequencies for the tests. Fully autonomous vehicles aim for commercialization by 2027, with plans to establish safety standards this year and advance the insurance system. Additionally, the government plans to open South Korea’s first fully automated port in Busan next month, utilizing unmanned container transport technology.

Support measures have been prepared to secure a significant lead in strategic industries such as semiconductors, secondary batteries, displays, and shipbuilding. The government plans to build the world’s largest semiconductor mega-cluster by constructing industrial infrastructure and intensively supporting the development of next-generation process technologies. It will also consider expanding the scope of national strategic semiconductor technologies under the Act on Restriction on Special Cases Concerning Taxation from the current 22. “In cooperation with the Netherlands, we will operate an ‘Advanced Semiconductor Academy’ and actively engage in research and development to secure a significant lead in advanced technologies such as compound power semiconductors,” Choi said.

This article was originally published on Feb. 14, 2024.