Yoon's Visit to 'Zurich ETH': "Home of Einstein, Leader in Quantum Technology"

Ministry of Science and ICT "Reviewing the Necessity and Challenges of International Cooperation in Quantum Technology"
"Aiming to Make This Year the First Year of Quantum Technology Leap"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] During his visit to Switzerland, President Yoon Suk-yeol visited ETH Zurich, bringing attention to the university and quantum technology as key interests.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 19th at 4 PM (local time) that President Yoon visited ETH Zurich and held a "Dialogue with Quantum Scholars."

ETH Zurich is a university that has produced 22 Nobel laureates, including Albert Einstein, known as the greatest genius scientist of the 20th century, and John von Neumann. It leads quantum research in Europe and is especially recognized for having top-level technology in superconducting quantum computers. The university's Andreas Wallraff research group announced in May last year in the international journal 'Nature' that they developed an error-correctable 17-qubit superconducting quantum computing system.

The university also collaborates extensively with domestic universities and government-funded research institutes in various science and technology fields. Since 2016, over 20 Korean science and technology personnel have studied and researched in the university's doctoral programs. Joint research is being conducted with Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Ajou University, and Chungnam National University in fields such as micro/nano medical robots, infectious diseases, and displays. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) has jointly established a global research network.

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich on the afternoon of the 19th (local time) to discuss strengthening international cooperation in quantum technology. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On this day, President Yoon held a cordial meeting in the university's main building in the Pallmann Room with Vice President G?nter Dissertori, Professors Andreas Wallraff, Klaus Ensslin, Jonathan Home (all from ETH Zurich), Alessandro Curioni, Director of IBM Zurich Research Laboratory, and Professor Myung-Sik Kim from Imperial College London. Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT and Jacques Ducret, Ambassador for International Cooperation at the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation, were also present.

At the meeting, Professor Andreas Wallraff cited the Swiss government's full support through national quantum research programs, excellent students from around the world, and international cooperation networks as the reasons ETH Zurich became a leader in quantum technology. President Yoon said, "Quantum technology is the core of future strategic technology," and asked, "How will quantum technology change our future, and what preparations should South Korea make to develop quantum technology?" After hearing opinions emphasizing talent cultivation and international cooperation, he expressed his determination and strategic vision to become a leading country in quantum technology.

Before the event, President Yoon also examined Albert Einstein’s academic transcripts, lecture notes, and correspondence from his student days. Einstein discovered the photoelectric effect, where electrons are emitted from metals when exposed to light, for which he won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics, and he also lectured at this university.

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, “The dialogue with scholars held at ETH Zurich in Switzerland was a meaningful occasion to share the need for solidarity and cooperation with leading quantum technology countries like Switzerland and to review the tasks necessary for South Korea’s quantum technology leap.” He added, “We will actively expand joint research and development and personnel exchanges with leading countries such as Switzerland, along with talent cultivation in the quantum technology field, and establish a vision and strategy for South Korea’s mid- to long-term quantum technology development so that this year can be a new starting point for a genuine leap in quantum technology.” The minister also stated, “We will prepare a talent map containing the current status and development plans for manpower in 12 national strategic technologies including quantum technology and semiconductors, and provide systematic support.”