[2025 Future Business Forum] "Comprehensive Investment in Quantum Computers... Leading the Quantum Era"

Government to Establish Practical Foundation Early
IBM's Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing Technology
Officially Introduced to Korean Media for the First Time
Qnova Unveils Application in New Drug Development

Sang-Im Yoo, Minister of Science and ICT, stated, "Quantum technology is a core area that will change the paradigm of the future economy and security," adding, "Based on the Quantum Technology Industry Act, which was enacted through bipartisan agreement, we are investing approximately 200 billion KRW this year to actively pursue the acquisition of quantum technology and the establishment of an industrialization foundation." The government and both ruling and opposition parties intend to work together to provide comprehensive investment in research and development (R&D), workforce training, and infrastructure construction, with the aim of establishing a practical foundation for applying quantum technology across all future industries at an early stage.

Minister Yoo made these remarks in a congratulatory speech at the '2025 Asia Future Business Forum' held at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul on June 11, stating, "Through comprehensive investments, including the construction of a quantum testbed, we will support Korea in leading the quantum era."

This forum, held under the theme 'Quantum Computer Technology: Exploring Industrialization,' drew particular attention as it took place immediately after IBM announced its plan to build a large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computer, 'Quantum Starling,' by 2029. As the event was held right after the unveiling of a key technology roadmap in the field of quantum computing, expectations for the practical application stage were heightened.

Hanhee Baek, Director of the IBM Research Quantum Algorithm Center, delivered the keynote speech and officially introduced the technology to the Korean media for the first time. Director Baek provided a detailed explanation of IBM's technological blueprint to solve complex problems in major industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, materials, and finance through 'fault-tolerant quantum computers,' receiving a strong response from the audience.

On the 11th, attendees of the '2025 Asia Future Business Forum' held at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, are taking a commemorative photo next to the quantum computer model of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science. From the front row, left to right: Woo-sung Jung, Chairman of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity; Sang-rok Oh, President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology; Jin-hee Yoon, President of the Korean Physical Society; Beomsik Jang, CEO of Asia Economy; Sang-im Yoo, Minister of Science and ICT; Youngsik Kim, Chairman of the National Research Council of Science and Technology; Hanhee Baek, Director of IBM Research Quantum Algorithm Center; Iljun Park, Executive Vice President of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. From the second row, left to right: Pansik Hwang, Chairman of the Science and Technology Professionals Mutual Aid Association; Taeseok Oh, President of the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning; Sangmin Lee, Head of Growth Business Promotion at SK Telecom Global A&I Center; Jungoo Lee, CEO of Qunova; Sangyoon Eom, CEO of IDQ Korea; Chul Jung, President of Korea Economic Research Institute; Sik Lee, President of Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information. From the third row, left to right: Beomsu Shin, Editor-in-Chief of Asia Economy; Seungcheol Kim, Senior Research Fellow at Samil PwC Management Research Institute; Changhee Lee, Executive Vice President of Korea Information and Communication Promotion Association; Sangwook Han, President of the Korean Quantum Information Society; Junghoe Kim, Executive Vice President of Korea Semiconductor Industry Association; Sunghyuk Kim, Senior Research Fellow of Quantum AI Task at LG Electronics; Hyoshil Kim, Director of the Future Quantum Convergence Center. Photo by Yongjun Cho. 2025.6.11

The subsequent lectures featured presentations on the industrialization potential of quantum computers, which are attracting attention as next-generation computing technology, and on corporate strategies for their adoption.

Junkoo Lee, founder of Qnova, drew attention by introducing the process of deriving drug candidates using quantum technology-based calculations and promoting their commercialization. In the following corporate session, Sunghyuk Kim, Senior Research Fellow of the Quantum AI Task at LG Electronics, and Sangmin Lee, Head of Growth Business Promotion at SK Telecom Global A&I Center, vividly shared examples of quantum technology applications in various industries and corporate strategies, providing insights into how major Korean companies are utilizing this technology.

In the expert discussion, Jongmin Baek, Tech Specialist at Asia Economy; Jooseop Shim, Head of the Quantum Project Group at the Ministry of Science and ICT; Sangyoon Eom, CEO of IDQ Korea; and Jiweon Yoon, CEO of SDT, participated and engaged in an in-depth discussion on the future and development direction of quantum technology.

Seungcheol Kim, Senior Research Fellow at Samil PwC, delivered a special lecture on the theme of the 'Future Quantum Economy.' In the subsequent panel discussion, Jinhee Yoon, President of the Korean Physical Society, served as moderator, leading a discussion with Jaewan Kim, Director of the Quantum Information Technology Research Institute at Yonsei University, and Heejung Jung, Executive Director at Pascal Korea, on strategies for the application and dissemination of technology in each industry.

This event, hosted by Asia Economy and sponsored by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Korean Industries, and the Future Quantum Convergence Forum, was organized to allow leading research institutions and companies from around the world to share the present and future of quantum computer technology and explore ways to apply it in industrial settings.

The event was attended by key figures such as Iljun Park, Executive Vice President of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chul Jung, President of the Korea Economic Research Institute; Junghoe Kim, Executive Vice President of the Korea Semiconductor Industry Association; and Youngsik Kim, Chairman of the National Research Council of Science and Technology, demonstrating the high level of interest in quantum technology.

Beomsik Jang, CEO of Asia Economy, said, "I hope this forum will serve as an opportunity for our companies and society to contemplate the direction we should take at the threshold of this major technological transformation called quantum computing and to seek practical response strategies together."

On the 11th, attendees are listening attentively to the keynote speech at the '2025 Asia Future Business Forum' hosted by Asia Economy at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung