Yoon Meets Quantum Scholar, "Will Strive to Contribute to Future Development"

Dialogue with Quantum Scholars Held at Zurich Federal Institute of Technology
Presidential Office to Reflect in Future 'National Quantum Strategy' Announcement

[Zurich=Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] On the 19th (local time), President Yoon Suk-yeol met with quantum field scholars in Zurich, Switzerland, and stated, "We will strive to ensure that quantum technology contributes to the desirable future development of humanity." The presidential office announced that the discussions between President Yoon and the quantum scholars will be reflected in the currently being established 'National Quantum Strategy' by the government.

On the afternoon of the same day, President Yoon visited the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Z?rich) and held a 'Dialogue with Quantum Scholars' session. This was arranged to listen to the trends in quantum technology development through conversations with quantum experts at the world-renowned research institution ETH Z?rich and to seek strategies to become a leading country in quantum technology, which is expected to be a game changer within the next decade.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, visiting Switzerland, is speaking at the "Dialogue with Quantum Scholars" held at ETH Zurich on the 19th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Upon arrival, President Yoon was guided by G?nter Dissertori, Vice President of ETH Z?rich, and was introduced to the life and achievements of Einstein at the ETH Z?rich library, where he also viewed the collection. The ETH Z?rich library is one of the world's top university libraries, housing approximately 7.8 million volumes and artifacts, including Einstein’s academic records, notebooks, and correspondence with colleagues from his student days.

Present at the event were Vice President G?nter Dissertori and other university officials, as well as quantum researchers from ETH Z?rich such as Andreas Wallraff, Klaus Ensslin, and Jonathan Home. Also attending were world-renowned quantum scholar Professor Myung-Sik Kim from Imperial College, UK, Alessandro Curioni, Director of IBM Zurich Research Laboratory, a leading institution in quantum computing, and Jacques Ducrey, International Cooperation Ambassador of the Swiss Federal Department of Education, Science and Research, who discussed quantum technology with President Yoon.

President Yoon stated, "Interest in the quantum field is increasing day by day, as evidenced by the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics being awarded to a quantum technology researcher. With great interest from countries and companies, the time for quantum technology to blossom is approaching, and Korea has selected quantum technology as one of its national strategic technologies, concentrating national capabilities."

During the subsequent dialogue, President Yoon exchanged views on how quantum technology can contribute to solving human societal problems and what kind of support the government should provide to enable scholars in the quantum field to achieve greater results through collaboration and solidarity. He added, "Korea has the capability to quickly secure technological prowess while reducing trial and error based on its past research and development experience. Utilizing this, we will strive to ensure that quantum technology contributes to the desirable future development of humanity through solidarity and cooperation with countries around the world."

Meanwhile, ETH Z?rich is the alma mater of famous scientists such as Einstein and von Neumann, and since its founding, it has produced 22 Nobel laureates and 2 Fields Medalists among its alumni and faculty, making it a world-class prestigious university. Many excellent researchers, including Professor Andreas Wallraff, a world authority in superconducting quantum computers, are currently on staff. Designated as a National Research Competence Center in the quantum field by the Swiss National Science Foundation, ETH Z?rich leads quantum research in Europe by participating in the EU Quantum Flagship program.