Visitors appears right into a quantum laptop mockup at Quantum Korea 2026 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
Leading technology firms and establishments showcased their newest quantum technology developments at Quantum Korea 2026, which opened on Thursday, as the federal government seeks to place Korea as a world chief in quantum technology by way of varied coverage initiatives.
Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT since 2023, Quantum Korea will run by way of Saturday. This yr’s version focuses on how quantum applied sciences are being applied and utilized in precise settings.
A complete of 56 firms and analysis organizations from 12 nations, together with SK Telecom and KT, participated within the occasion, displaying quantum laptop fashions and showcasing applied sciences that use quantum-based encryption and different safety options.
The telecom firms targeted on quantum safety options, as advances in quantum computing are anticipated to extend the chance of current encryption methods being compromised.
The key idea of their exhibitions was quantum key distribution (QKD) technology. QKD sends encryption keys utilizing the quantum states of photons. Because observing a photon adjustments its quantum state, any try and intercept the important thing leaves detectable traces, permitting the sender and receiver to determine a hacking try.
SK Telecom officers promote the corporate’s sales space at Quantum Korea 2026 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of SK Telecom
SK Telecom is exhibiting its photonic built-in circuit (PIC)-based QKD technology, PIC-based quantum random quantity generator (QRNG) technology, and wi-fi and satellite tv for pc QKD applied sciences.
The firm is creating an built-in QKD chip that includes a 10-gigabits-per-second QRNG right into a 10-by-10-millimeter chip. It can be creating key applied sciences to enhance the reliability of wi-fi QKD, in addition to QKD system long-distance communications.
SK Telecom can be showcasing its quantum {hardware} safety module, a next-generation hybrid quantum cryptography chip that mixes a bodily unclonable perform to counter hacking threats posed by quantum computer systems. The chip is designed to allow quantum encryption for edge gadgets, equivalent to drones, synthetic intelligence-powered surveillance cameras and robots, on future 6G networks.
Visitors discover KT’s sales space at Quantum Korea 2026 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of KT
KT, in the meantime, is showcasing its post-quantum cryptography and QKD applied sciences.
The firm is now advancing its proprietary wired QKD technology, which achieved transmission speeds of 300 kilobits per second final yr, enabling the sooner era and change of bigger volumes of encryption keys.
KT can be demonstrating its wi-fi QKD technology. The firm stated it efficiently examined the technology over a distance of about 4.8 kilometers in a real-world atmosphere final yr and is now working to increase its working vary to greater than 10 kilometers.
KT confused that it has used domestically developed tools in its quantum applied sciences to strengthen Korea’s sovereignty within the quantum safety sector. The firm owns 28 patents associated to quantum cryptography applied sciences, and has licensed out 12 of them to eight Korean firms, enabling them to fabricate associated tools.
Aside from the telecom firms, Quantum Korea 2026 additionally options state-of-the-art quantum computer systems from international leaders, together with IBM, Quandela, IonQ and Pasqal. It additionally showcases core applied sciences and analysis achievements developed by Korean establishments, together with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul National University and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
“The government is expanding investment in strategic technologies and future growth industries, and quantum technology is one of the key strategic technologies that will shape Korea’s future,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon stated at the occasion.
“Through Quantum Korea and various other policy initiatives, the government will strive to position Korea as a global leader in quantum technology and industry.”