Insider Brief
- Sejong City signed an MOU with the Korea Quantum Industry Association to position Sejong as Korea’s hub for the quantum industry and accelerate commercialization.
- The agreement spans policy design, tech demonstration and commercialization, talent development, company attraction, and joint domestic/international networks with information-sharing and events.
- Sejong will build a cloud-based Quantum Algorithm Demonstration and Commercialization Platform to support R&D, startups, and clustering in partnership with KQIA (est. 2022, 100+ member firms).
Sejong Special Self-Governing City (Mayor Choi Min-ho) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Korea Quantum Industry Association (KQIA, Chairman Bang Seung-hyun) on the 22nd in the Sejong Hall of Sejong City Hall. The agreement aims to foster the quantum industry ecosystem and commercialize related technologies. This MOU marks the starting point for joint cooperation to cultivate Sejong City as Korea’s ‘hub city for the quantum industry’.
The Korea Association for Quantum Industry (KAQI), established in 2022, is a representative Korean association leading the commercialization of domestic quantum technology through the establishment of industry-academia-research collaboration systems, technology development, talent cultivation, and expansion of international networks. Currently, over 100 member companies are active, and through this agreement, it plans to establish a cooperative model with Sejong City for the development of the domestic quantum industry.
Through this agreement, the two institutions have agreed to cooperate in multiple areas, including: ▲ Identifying policies and planning projects to foster the quantum industry ▲ Exchanging research and technology for quantum technology demonstration and commercialization ▲ Supporting the attraction of quantum-related companies and talent development. Additionally, they plan to strengthen joint efforts to establish a foundation for the quantum industry by: ▲ Building domestic and international cooperation networks ▲ Sharing information and promoting joint events ▲ Conducting promotional activities to disseminate achievements.
Sejong City plans to establish a cloud-based ‘Quantum Algorithm Demonstration and Commercialization Platform’ following this agreement. Through this initiative, the city aims to create an environment where quantum technology companies can freely conduct research and demonstrations, expand startup support and business attraction, and foster a quantum industry cluster.
Choi Min-ho, Mayor of Sejong Special Self-Governing City, stated, “Sejong City is advancing beyond being an administrative city to become a cutting-edge science and technology hub,” adding, “We will create an ecosystem where quantum-related companies and talent gather, establishing Sejong City as the center of Korea’s quantum industry.”
Alfred Bang, Chairman of the Korea Quantum Industry Association (KQIA), remarked, “Sejong City is an administrative hub densely populated with government ministries and research institutions, making it an optimal location for commercializing quantum technology.” He continued, “This agreement will serve as a crucial milestone for spreading innovation across the entire industry and propelling Sejong City into a quantum technology hub that leads Korea’s future industries.”
Image Credit: KQIA
