The South Korean government will establish up to five quantum clusters nationwide to industrialize quantum technology. The plan aims to integrate regional core industries with quantum technology and build a full-cycle industrial ecosystem spanning research, demonstration, commercialization, and investment.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced the "First Master Plan for Quantum Clusters" jointly with related ministries on Thursday, unveiling a national strategy to develop quantum clusters over five years from 2026 to 2030. This plan is the first national-level quantum cluster master plan based on the Quantum Technology Industry Act enacted last year.
Up to five clusters will be designated. Local governments will submit development plans combining hub and spoke (demand base) structures, and the government will evaluate infrastructure, workforce, and industrial foundations to designate final clusters in 2026. Financial support will then be differentiated based on performance evaluations to enhance self-sustainability.
The government believes quantum technology has the potential to transform industrial structures and the broader economy and national security when converged with existing industries. Major countries including the United States, Europe, and Japan have already designated quantum technology as central to national security and supply chain strategies, launching cluster-based industrial ecosystem initiatives. The U.S. and China, among other major nations, are elevating quantum technology to the core of their national security and supply chain strategies through large-scale public investment, export controls, and technology alliances. Global big tech companies including Nvidia, Google, IBM, and Amazon have begun early commercial service experiments combining quantum computing with AI, with actual applications emerging in finance and pharmaceuticals. In contrast, Korea faces a technology gap of more than three years compared to major countries in computing and sensor fields, with limited corporate participation. Cumulative public investment stands at approximately 600 billion won ($440 million), far below China's 22 trillion won and the U.S.'s 5.6 trillion won.
In response, the government will establish "K-Quantum Clusters" bringing together industry, academia, and research institutes. The plan designates region-specific clusters centered on five core areas—quantum computing, communications, sensing, materials and components, and algorithms—to accelerate "Quantum Transformation (QX)" that converges advanced industries with quantum technology. Clusters are designed not as simple research parks but as practical bases where industrial demand is absorbed and companies can grow.
Regional quantum industrialization infrastructure will be built first. The government will construct a "Quantum Highway" connecting quantum infrastructure nationwide to expand open quantum testbeds and create hybrid infrastructure linking quantum computing with high-performance computing (HPC). This aims to rapidly generate quantum-AI applications in industrial settings including finance, bio, and manufacturing. Each cluster will also feature "QX Specialized Bases" equipped with dedicated infrastructure for core technology areas, supporting the entire cycle from R&D to demonstration and mass production.
Quantum transformation of regional core industries will also begin in earnest. Representative cases include micro-defect detection and process advancement using quantum sensors in semiconductors, new drug development using quantum computing and quantum-AI in bio, and route optimization and quantum cryptography-based secure communication demonstration in mobility. The government aims to create success models proving that "quantum technology actually enhances industrial competitiveness" through such demand-linked demonstrations.
Startup and corporate development strategies are also central to the cluster policy. The government will support proof-of-concept (PoC) and minimum viable product (MVP) development to translate university and research institute outcomes to the market, and open cluster quantum infrastructure for shared corporate use. Additionally, promising startups will be nurtured into "pre-unicorns" through quantum-specialized accelerators, public-private fund-linked investments, global exhibition participation, and overseas expansion support.
Workforce development is also designed with a regional focus. Local governments and regional universities will collaborate to cultivate quantum convergence talent while expanding transition training for incumbent workers and hands-on practical education. This aims to create a virtuous cycle of talent, companies, and industries centered on clusters.
