KISTI to Launch South Korea's First National Quantum Center with IonQ
Daejeon, Thursday, 10 July 2025.
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) secured multimillion-dollar funding to establish South Korea’s premier quantum computing center, partnering with IonQ to advance quantum technology.
Quantum Technology Advancement and Collaboration
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) has been awarded a substantial government grant to advance South Korea’s quantum computing capabilities by establishing the country’s first National Quantum Computing Center of Excellence. This ambitious project involves collaboration with IonQ, a leading quantum technology company headquartered in Maryland, USA, and Megazone Cloud, a prominent cloud service provider in South Korea [1][2][3].
Strategic Role of IonQ and Platform Development
IonQ has been identified as the primary quantum technology provider for this landmark project. The company is poised to deliver an advanced 100-qubit quantum computing system that will lay the foundation for cutting-edge research and develop a cloud-based quantum computing service platform. This framework is intended to support various applications in both academia and industry [1][2][4].
Hybrid Quantum-Classical Environment
One of the project’s unique aspects is its focus on a hybrid quantum-classical execution environment. This system, designed to integrate next-generation quantum components with traditional supercomputing resources, aims to create a versatile computing infrastructure that offers remote access via a private cloud. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance computational capabilities and pave the way for future technological advancements [1][4].
Implications for South Korea’s Quantum Landscape
The establishment of this center positions South Korea as a key player in the global quantum technology arena. The country’s growing commitment to quantum research and infrastructure development reflects its strategic intent to harness the transformative potential of quantum computing, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics [2][3][5].