South Korea is moving to expand its quantum communication testing infrastructure nationwide as the government seeks to accelerate commercialization of next-generation security technologies in the AI era.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced Wednesday that it has launched a public project to upgrade and expand the country’s open quantum testbed network, broadening access to real-world testing environments for companies and research institutions.
Quantum testbeds allow developers to evaluate security equipment and communication technologies under operational network conditions before commercialization. Until now, testing infrastructure had been concentrated mainly in Seoul, Pangyo and Daejeon, limiting accessibility for regional companies and research groups.
Under the new initiative, the government plans to expand the infrastructure nationwide so that companies outside major technology hubs can verify and refine quantum technologies under similar conditions.
The latest move is viewed as a follow-up measure to South Korea’s broader national quantum strategy announced earlier under the country’s first comprehensive quantum science and industry development plan.
Officials say the project is intended not only to support testing, but also to create a long-term industrial ecosystem encompassing commercialization, overseas market expansion and next-generation quantum networking technologies.
The program will be divided into three categories based on technology maturity and application areas.
Commercial hubs will focus on validating the performance and stability of already-developed technologies within operational communication networks. Overseas hubs will support compatibility testing with international quantum testbeds to evaluate performance in cross-border communication environments. Future-oriented hubs will concentrate on emerging technologies such as satellite-based quantum communication and wireless quantum networks.
The government is particularly emphasizing the need to secure quantum communication technologies that are not dependent solely on wired infrastructure. Satellite quantum encryption systems and wireless quantum networking are increasingly being viewed as strategically important technologies tied to national security and future digital infrastructure.
Participation in the project will be open to consortiums involving telecommunications companies, universities and research institutes. Selected participants will receive government support for up to three years.
Authorities said evaluation criteria will focus heavily on practical deployment potential, including integration with existing infrastructure and the ability to secure real-world industry demand.
Industry experts say the initiative marks a transition in South Korea’s quantum policy from early-stage research toward commercialization and operational deployment.
“One of the biggest challenges in quantum technology is the lack of real-world verification environments,” a telecommunications industry official said. “Expanding testbeds nationwide lowers entry barriers and could accelerate commercialization opportunities for domestic companies.”
Security specialists also note that demand for quantum-safe communication technologies is expected to grow rapidly as advances in quantum computing raise concerns over the long-term reliability of existing encryption systems.
Quantum computers capable of breaking conventional cryptographic frameworks remain under development globally, but governments and technology firms are increasingly investing in quantum-resistant security technologies in preparation for future risks.
The South Korean government plans to begin full-scale implementation of the project in July and said additional support measures will follow to help domestic firms strengthen competitiveness in the global quantum technology market.
