The opening ceremony of “NextQuantum” (Innovation Research Center), which is the hybrid quantum computing center at Seoul National University took place on Wednesday, November 13, at the Convention Hall of the Faculty Club. Approximately 70 distinguished guests from academia, government, and industry attended the event, including Professor Jaeyoung Kim, SNU Vice President for Research Affairs; Pan-Sik Hwang, Director of the R&D Policy Division of the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT); Jong-Ho Lee, former Minister of MSIT; and Hyuk-Mo Lee, Director of the Basic Research in Science & Engineering Division at the National Research Foundation of Korea.
Center Director Hyeonseok Jeong giving a presentation
The NextQunatum has been selected for the "2024 Innovation Research Center(IRC)" program, organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT). The IRC initiative aims to foster research groups in strategic technology fields, accumulate sustainable research capabilities, serve as a hub for industry-academia-research collaboration within universities, and generate world-class research outcomes. In 2024, Seoul National University was selected in the quantum technology sector, one of the 12 national strategic technology areas. The center will receive an annual budget of 5 billion KRW, totaling 50 billion KRW over 10 years.
In his welcoming speech, Vice President for Research Affairs Jaeyoung Kim emphasized the growing global recognition of quantum technology as a key to innovation across various fields, highlighting the importance of the research. Director of the R&D Policy Division, Pan-Sik Hwang, stated that quantum computing is one of the core technologies leading the next-generation IT paradigm. He stressed that securing leadership in quantum technology amid fierce global competition is essential for the future economic and security interests of South Korea. Hyuk-Mo Lee from the National Research Foundation of Korea expressed his hope that the NextQuantum would develop into a world-class research hub, taking a leading role in quantum computing.
Center Director Hyunseok Jeong stated, "Quantum technology is a multidisciplinary field closely connected to various academic disciplines and is a foundational technology that will have a significant impact on almost every technological sector. To overcome the limitations of single platforms and explore new areas, we have formed a vertical integration research group that integrates all elements of quantum computing systems. Through research and development of core quantum computing technologies based on a cross-platform approach, including hardware and algorithms, we aim to develop into a research institute that leads the quantum leap in academia, industry, and national strategic technologies."
The NextQuantum Opening Ceremony held at SNU Faculty House
Existing quantum computers are prone to errors, and significant advancements are required before they can be applied to solve practical problems. Currently, each physical platform for quantum computing has its own strengths and weaknesses, making it difficult for any one platform to dominate. Therefore, it is essential to pursue a comprehensive development of various physical platforms in order to approach practical quantum technologies. Additionally, the development of killer applications capable of delivering practical quantum advantages, even in the presence of a certain level of errors, is also necessary.
The NextQuantum aims to play a leading role in the quantum technology field by overcoming the technical limitations of existing quantum computing research and developing core technologies for the future quantum industry. This will be achieved through cross-platform-based research and development that integrates and maximizes the advantages of various hardware.
The research team of the center consists of top-level experts in both hardware and software across the quantum computing field. The core members includes 13 domestic researchers, led by Professor Hyunseok Jeong, along with Professor Jung-Sang Kim from Duke University, co-founder of the leading quantum computing company IonQ, and Professor Myung-Sik Kim from Imperial College London, a renowned scholar in quantum information theory. Based on this world-class research team and collaborations with various research institutions and companies in South Korea and abroad, the NextQuantum is expected to enhance South Korea's quantum technology capabilities and grow into a global hub for quantum technology.