Yonsei Deploys Korea's First Quantum Computer to Unlock Aging Secrets

INCHEON — Inside the Quantum Convergence Research Building at Yonsei University's Songdo International Campus, South Korea's first commercial-grade quantum computer hums at temperatures colder than deep space.

The IBM Quantum System One, only the fifth of its kind deployed globally, defied expectations with its compact, bell-shaped metallic frame housing a 127-qubit "Eagle" processor. The internal temperature reaches minus 273.14 degrees Celsius — colder than the vacuum of outer space.

Yonsei researchers are using the machine in collaboration with Japan's RIKEN national research institute to investigate the fundamental causes of aging. Applications have expanded across finance, semiconductor design, new materials, and defense.

"Executives from global Big Tech headquarters recently visited to explore integrating quantum technology into their platforms," said Jae-ho Jeong, head of Yonsei's Quantum Initiative. "Beyond active public-sector use, major Korean conglomerates are pursuing large-scale projects through Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy programs."

The quantum computer's overwhelming processing power is enabling previously unimaginable collaborations and research projects. "Drug development is ultimately a battle of time and computation," Jeong said. "Complex protein structure calculations that would take thousands of months using all the world's supercomputers combined can be processed with 100 qubits — potentially saving trillions of won and decades of time."

The university's model of directly owning and operating such expensive hardware is rare globally. Since Yonsei acquired the quantum computer in 2024, Korean industry and government research institutions have benefited from access costs 70 to 90 percent lower than foreign Big Tech cloud services. The setup also eliminates concerns about overseas leakage of sensitive data such as drug candidate compounds.

Yonsei plans to upgrade to the latest "Night Hawk" processor by year-end through a modular contract structure, maintaining cutting-edge specifications to ensure research continuity amid intense hardware competition.

"In 10 years, we could face a 'technological dictatorship' where we're prescribed cancer drugs made by Google or Nvidia," Jeong warned. "Unlike hardware, the entire world starts on equal footing with algorithms and software — research here could become national competitiveness that prevents Big Tech dependency."