Quantum Computing: IBM Invests $43 Billion as Korea Lags Behind

IBM Announces Commitment to 'Made in America' Quantum Computers
Corporate Investment Far Surpasses Korean Government-led Funding

IBM in the United States has decided to make a large-scale investment to develop and manufacture quantum computers domestically. Following artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, more companies are joining efforts to secure domestic production bases for advanced industries such as quantum computers.

IBM System 2 Quantum Computer

On April 28 (local time), IBM announced that it would invest a total of $150 billion (approximately 216 trillion won) in the United States over the next five years. The main focus of this investment is, without a doubt, quantum technology.

IBM stated that it has allocated $30 billion (approximately 43 trillion won) to expand the domestic production of quantum computers and mainframe computers in the United States. This amount is significantly larger than the approximately 200 billion won that Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT is investing in the quantum sector this year. While Korea’s quantum industry is being led by the government, there is a clear gap compared to the investment made by IBM, a single private company.

The Korean government exempted the 1 trillion won 'Quantum Science and Technology Flagship Project' from a preliminary feasibility study last year. However, the project was later reduced to a scale of 300 billion won, and even this has reportedly faced confusion during budget reviews. An industry insider commented, "At this point, I don’t see how this is any different from a preliminary feasibility study."

IBM’s case, following earlier U.S. investment announcements by Apple and Nvidia, is interpreted as a move to strengthen U.S. leadership in advanced technology industries and to contribute to domestic economic growth and job creation, thus supporting the stance of the Donald Trump administration. U.S. companies are increasingly cooperating with the Trump administration’s pressure to reinforce domestic manufacturing competitiveness in advanced industries.

IBM has also indicated that it will continue to invest in designing, manufacturing, and assembling quantum computers in the United States, signaling its intention to establish a U.S.-centered quantum computing ecosystem.

IBM asserted that quantum computers will not only help us better understand the fundamental principles by which the world operates but will also revolutionize U.S. competitiveness, job creation, and national security. The company particularly emphasized that this will create new economic opportunities both in the United States and globally.

IBM also highlighted its ongoing domestic production of mainframe computers, an area in which it has a strong advantage. Mainframes are IBM’s most powerful computers and are primarily used in the financial sector. These mainframes are manufactured in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, stated, "Technology does more than simply build the future?it defines it," adding, "Since our founding 114 years ago, we have focused on jobs and manufacturing in the United States, and with this investment and expanded manufacturing, IBM will remain at the center of the world’s most advanced computing and AI capabilities."

The first commercial-grade quantum computer in Korea, the 'IBM Quantum System One,' installed at the Quantum Computing Center of Yonsei University International Campus in Songdo, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News

IBM is a leader in the field of superconducting quantum computers. The 128-qubit quantum computer installed in Korea was also manufactured by IBM. IBM’s quantum computers continue to be produced in the United States. Even if an IBM quantum computer is located in Korea, it cannot be disassembled without permission.

U.S. media have analyzed that this announcement is a strategic move to respond to global supply chain uncertainties, such as the U.S.-China trade dispute, while also strengthening ties with the Trump administration.