President Yoon Seok-yeol explored ways to develop quantum technology and global solidarity and cooperation at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 20th that President Yoon visited ETH Zurich (hereinafter referred to as ‘Zurich Federal University of Technology’) on the 19th (local time) and had a ‘conversation with quantum scholars’.
This event was prepared as a place to listen to the opinions of global quantum technology scholars in order to prepare a national quantum strategy to leap forward as a leading country in quantum technology, which will be a future industrial security game changer.
With the participation of distinguished scholars from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich and Korean scholar Professor Myung-Sik Kim from Imperial College in England, it was decided to strengthen cooperation in the field of science and technology on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and Switzerland.
ETH Zurich is a university that has produced 22 Nobel laureates, including Einstein and von Neumann, and is leading quantum research in Europe. In particular, it is evaluated to have the highest level of technology in superconducting quantum computers.
In addition, ETH Zurich is conducting cooperation with domestic universities and research institutes in various fields of science and technology, such as cooperative research, manpower exchange, and infrastructure construction.
Mutual visits and research by young researchers in the doctoral course are also actively carried out. Since 2016, about 20 science and technology researchers have exchanged with ETH Zurich.
At this event, Prof. Andreas Ballaf, the presenter, suggested that ETH Zurich became a strong player in the field of quantum technology, including the full support of the Swiss government, such as the national quantum research program, outstanding students from all over the world, and an international cooperation network.
Then, President Yoon said that quantum technology is the core of future strategic technology, and asked how quantum technology will change our future and what preparations the Republic of Korea should make to develop quantum technology.
Also, after hearing the importance of fostering human resources and international cooperation, they revealed their will and strategic plans to become a leading country in quantum technology.
In addition, he said that this year will be the first year for quantum technology to take off, and international cooperation, such as research and manpower exchange, will be expanded with leading countries such as Switzerland in celebration of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Switzerland diplomatic ties along with manpower training.
Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho, who was present on the day, said, “The conversation with the scholars was a meaningful occasion to sympathize with the need for solidarity and cooperation with leading countries in quantum technology such as Switzerland, and to review the tasks necessary for Korea to leap forward in quantum technology.”
“The Ministry of Science and ICT will expand joint R&D and human resources exchange with leading countries such as Switzerland in earnest along with fostering human resources in the field of quantum technology, and establish a vision and strategy for the development of Korea’s mid- to long-term quantum technology, so that this year will make a leap forward in quantum technology, both in name and reality. We will make it a new starting point for the future.”
In addition, he added, “We will systematically support by preparing a manpower map that includes the current state of manpower and development plans for 12 national strategic technologies such as quantum technology and semiconductors.”
Meanwhile, prior to the event, President Yoon looked at transcripts, lecture notes, and letters left by Einstein, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921, while attending ETH Zurich.
Inquiries: Quantum Technology Development Support Division, Ministry of Science and ICT (044-202-6872)
