Quantum Communication
Technology

Regarding policy and government initiatives, among South Korea’s chief achievements is the completion of phase one of the nation-wide QKD network in 2022 – called National Convergence Network. With a total length of 800 km, the QKD network infrastructure secures the communication network of 48 government organizations across the country, making it one of the largest quantum cryptography networks outside China. 

The same year, South Korea launched the world’s third quantum cryptography communication service, while they introduced the world’s first security verification system for quantum cryptographic communcation in 2023. 

In June 2023, South Korea put forward a mid- and long-term national strategy for their efforts within quantum technology, including quantum communication and quantum cryptography[4]. The strategy presents the South Korean preconditions for developing a strong quantum ecosystem and obtaining a predominant market position by 2035. 

South Korea aims to utilize their advanced high-tech industries and strong ICT infrastructure to position themselves as a global quantum leader with a strong quantum industry. As an example, South Korea expects to pilot a nationwide quantum internet already by 2035.

As to investments and funding in development of quantum technologies, investments are primarily driven by the Korean government. With the recent strategy, the government plans to execute 3 trillion won (approx. 2.3 billion USD) of public-private investments in the period of 2023-2035. These investments add on top of previous investments of 27 billion won in the period 2019-2022 for the technology development of quantum cryptography communication.

In 2024 specifically, the government plans to invest 300 billion won (approx. 230 million USD) in quantum R&D projects – 2/3 of this in quantum communication related activities. Among the core identified areas are advancements of Quantum cryptography communication integration and transmission technology, Quantum internet technology development, Quantum cryptography communication industry application and diffusion technology development.

Entrepreneurship also plays an important role in the quantum communication sector. South Korea generally boasts of a strong start-up sector who benefits from ambitious government investments, including the national Outstanding Startup 1000+ project, which aim to support the scale-up of high-potential and technology-intensive start-ups. 

In Quantum Communication, a number of smaller companies are already thriving.  EYL – a Korean security start-up – developed an ultra-small cryptography chip by applying Quantum Random Number Generation (QRNG) technology. This chip is currently being used by the US Air Force in their aerial vehicles, including drones. Other notable start-ups include QSimplus, who offer a software simulator for cryptographic communication.

Looking at corporates, SK Telecom is definitely the most active and engaged company within quantum communication, having launched their own quantum lab in 2011. In 2014, SK Telecom commercialized their first QKD device. SK Telecom invested in the Swiss company ID Quantique in 2018, which is a world-leading QKD-provider behind several implemented QKD networks. They are the two main companies behind the South Korean national QKD network, which was built by SK Broadband with ID Quantique’s QKD product and Key Management System (KMS).

In 2019, SK Telecom and ID Quantique implemented the commercialization of the first-ever Quantum Cryptography Network, by applying QKD on SK Telecoms 5G network over a 330 km distance. The companies simultaneously introduced a QRNG authentication server to authenticate 5G subscribers. SK Telecom also launched the Galaxy Quantum Mobile series with Samsung Electronics and ID Quantique, providing users with a higher level of security in the mobile environment.

In 2024, SK Telecom further unveiled its first commercial quantum encryption chip, named Q-HSM. This chip integrates hardware-based QRNG and physical unclonable function technology alongside software-based PQC. 

When it comes to efforts within academia, a rapid increasing number of South Korean universities and research institutions are active in this field, responding to the government ambitions for and investments in the quantum technology. Among the most prominent universities are KAIST, Seoul National University, SKKU, Yonsei University and POSTECH. More specialised research is undertaken by government funded research institutions such as Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) and Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS). There is a strong emphasis on international research collaboration with leading like-minded countries to further the South Korean position in the global market. 

A number of universities are operating dedicated quantum graduate programmes. On top of this, government-funded graduate schools have been established at three universities; Korea University, KAIST and Postech, where they educate students from a number of smaller/less specialised Korean universities to increase the South Korean quantum workforce, which is expected to increase from 500 people in 2024 to 2500 people in 2035.