After AI, 'Quantum' Is Next: The Battle for Advanced-Tech Supremacy Heats Up [Economy Rice Thief] - 경향신문

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The war of nerves between the United States and China, which have been vying for technological supremacy centered on semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI), has recently intensified markedly in the field of quantum technology (Quantum Technology). U.S. President Donald Trump last month signed two executive orders related to quantum computers in quick succession, signaling a determination to lead in quantum technology. China, too, at the Two Sessions in March, identified quantum technology as a key growth pillar of future industries and is pouring in astronomical levels of funding.

Quantum technologies, including quantum computers, are not yet at the commercialization stage. But the mood has changed dramatically from a few years ago, when they were regarded as lab-scale research. As a next-generation strategic technology after AI, they are drawing attention as a 'game changer' that could transform not only national security, including the military, but also industrial, financial, and administrative systems. With the advent of 'techno-geopolitics,' in which leadership in advanced technologies shapes international politics, U.S.-China technological competition is intensifying, and countries such as South Korea are throwing themselves into quantum technology development and industry cultivation.

사진 크게보기 Visitors to 'Quantum Korea 2026' held earlier this month at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, look at a quantum computer model. Yonhap News

Emerging as the decisive battleground in the U.S.-China rivalry after AI

The two executive orders President Trump signed on June 22 call for a speed-up related to quantum computers. The first accelerates the development of quantum computers, quantum sensors, and networks; the U.S. Department of Energy said it will deploy a science-oriented quantum computer by 2028. The second shifts federal government systems to post-quantum cryptography (PQC), moving up the previous target by four to five years to complete the transition by 2030-2031. In May, the U.S. Department of Commerce decided to award $2 billion (about 2.7 trillion won) in subsidies under the CHIPs Act budget to nine quantum computing companies. Beneficiaries include IBM, GlobalFoundries, and Rigetti Computing, and the U.S. government has even taken equity stakes in some firms.

Such U.S. moves can be seen as a response to China's rapid catch-up. While the United States, led by Google, IBM, and Amazon (AWS), still dominates quantum computing, the gap is narrowing, and China is ahead in quantum communications with quantum satellites and the world's longest-distance quantum networks. In the 15th Five-Year Plan announced after this year's Two Sessions, China designated quantum computing, quantum communications, and quantum sensors as top-priority national strategic industries. According to the nonprofit think tank Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP)'s 'Quantum Technology Scorecard,' Chinese government funding invested in quantum information science, engineering, and technology (QISET) over the past seven years totals $16 billion, more than twice that of the United States ($6 billion).

Quantum technology has emerged as a core battleground in U.S.-China tech competition because of its potential impact once commercialized. Using quantum computers, which can quickly solve problems that are intractable for classical computers, could shorten the timelines for new drug and new material development and enable financial market forecasting. In particular, quantum sensors pack tremendous power in the military domain. They are expected to perform target identification and detection, electronic warfare, and missile warning even in challenging environments, such as when adversaries jam Global Positioning System (GPS) signals or undersea.

In South Korea, fostering quantum technologies and industries has also emerged as a national task. The Ministry of Science and ICT, in its 'Comprehensive Plan for the Promotion of Quantum Science and Technology and the Quantum Industry' announced in January, set goals to become the world's No. 1 producer of quantum chips by 2035, develop a domestically built full-stack (end-to-end) quantum computer, cultivate 10,000 quantum personnel, and achieve self-reliance in core defense quantum sensor technologies.

Lee Hyun-jin, an associate research fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, said, "Manufacturing quantum chips is necessary for South Korea to sustain its competitiveness in memory and to generate synergies with the existing semiconductor ecosystem," adding, "Because quantum technology is closely linked to national security, it would be desirable to prioritize cooperation by expanding technology exchanges, joint research, and participation in the investment ecosystem with the United States, while cooperating with China in basic science and future-oriented research." In practice, the United States is moving quickly to build a U.S.-led quantum computing supply chain through regulations such as export controls on certain specifications of quantum computers (34 qubits or more) and cooling equipment, and a ban on U.S. investment in China's quantum computing technologies.

U.S. President Donald Trump signs executive orders at the White House on June 22 (local time) to accelerate quantum computers and quantum technology. UPI Yonhap News

Industry voices say it is urgent to adopt next-generation network security technologies such as quantum cryptography-based communications. There is growing concern that quantum technology could neutralize the RSA-based encryption used in finance, security, and public services. The government also plans this year to promote pilot transitions to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) in five sectors: telecommunications, finance, transportation, defense, and space. Domestic telecom operators are also accelerating technology development. SK Telecom plans to apply ultra-compact quantum-cryptography equipment to communications networks, drones, CCTVs, and robots, while KT intends to internalize quantum key distribution (QKD), which uses quantum technology to enhance key security, and PQC, and expand them to the public sector, local governments, and the military.

Hwang Seok-jin, a professor at the Graduate School of International Information Security at Dongguk University, said, "The top priority is to conduct a full survey of key national information systems and develop a phased PQC transition roadmap according to importance and risk," adding, "The defense sector in particular should be prioritized for transition given the significant impact on command systems and military communications networks, and areas such as electronic financial transactions, electronic signatures, and administrative information also require proactive measures."

There were also calls to pursue independent technological capabilities while considering cross-industry synergies. Professor Hwang said, "Ultimately, we should approach this at the level of an infrastructure strategy to secure digital sovereignty in quantum cryptography, going beyond information security issues." Associate Research Fellow Lee also said, "Given recent trends, even allies can be affected by controls on access to critical technologies, so investment to secure a certain level of capability has become more important."