“Quantum technology will have a significant impact on society as a whole, including health, environment, and energy, and will expand into new areas beyond the limits of existing science.”
On the 3rd, Finnish Ambassador to South Korea Yuri Yerbiho said this at the 'Seoul-Finland Quantum Innovation Forum' held at the Biohub in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. This forum was co-hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Finnish Embassy in South Korea, the Future Quantum Convergence Forum, and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) to share quantum technology fostering policies and technological status between Seoul and Finland and to discuss international cooperation plans among academia, industry, and research.
Ambassador Yerbiho noted, “International cooperation is a key element in the advancement of quantum technology” and added, “I hope this forum will be a starting point for deepening cooperation between the industries of the two countries.” He particularly emphasized that Finland has been strategically fostering quantum technology based on its academic achievements in physics and superconductors.
Finland is focusing on technology development in a wide range of areas, including quantum computing, sensors, and encryption. According to Business Finland, a Finnish government investment agency, the European research organization VTT and the quantum computer commercialization company IQM have jointly developed a 5·20·50 qubit quantum computer. They have also begun developing high-performance quantum computers with 150 qubits and 300 qubits.
Otti Keski-Aijao, responsible for the quantum sector at Business Finland, stated, “While there are many promising quantum startups within Finland, they often face funding challenges,” and added, “We are working to create an ecosystem that comprehensively supports R&D, education, infrastructure, and startups, and we will continue to strengthen international cooperation.”
Quantum cooperation between Finland and South Korea is already underway. IQM has built Asia's first commercial quantum computer in partnership with Chungbuk National University earlier this year. The equipment is at the 5 qubit level and is expected to be widely used in future research and education related to quantum technology.
The forum also included major Finnish corporations and institutions, such as Bluefors and Nokia, with a total of 12 attendees. One of the companies that garnered the most interest that day was Bluefors, which develops and supplies research-grade cryogenic cooling equipment. To date, they have delivered more than 1,400 systems worldwide and supplied 43 systems to South Korea. Bluefors explained that they offer a range of products, including high-density systems that can support up to 1,100 qubits, small equipment, and automation systems.
Nokia, which has strengths in transistor development and communication technology, is focusing on the commercialization of quantum communication, quantum encryption, and optimization technologies. Han Hyo-chan, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Nokia Korea, noted, “Four of the 10 Nobel Prizes received by Nokia Bell Labs are related to quantum research,” and added, “I hope our technology will serve as a hub connecting academia, government, and industry.”
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to expedite the establishment and implementation of a policy framework to foster the quantum technology industry through this forum. Ju Yong-tae, the head of the economic department of the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, “Quantum technology is regarded as one of the ‘three game changers’ along with AI and bio, rapidly emerging as a key field that will determine national competitiveness,” and added, “We will proactively respond to the upcoming quantum era, starting with the enactment of the local government ordinance for fostering the quantum technology industry.”