The government has 마련ed an institutional basis to expand the scope of support for quantum technology. It reflects current technology trends such as convergence with supercomputing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI). It will also introduce measures to address supply chains, improve regulations and create an impact assessment system for projects using quantum technology, expanding a support framework centred on research and development to stages of industrialisation, security and public use.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said on Tuesday that a partial amendment to the Act on the Promotion of Quantum Science and Technology and the Quantum Industry passed a cabinet meeting. The amendment, proposed by Min Hee-choi (최민희), chair of the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee and a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, was finally approved at the cabinet meeting after passing a plenary vote of the National Assembly.

The amendment reflects that quantum technology is entering the stage of industrialisation amid global competition for technological dominance. It focuses on expanding the scope of support for quantum technology to supply chains, security, and industrial and defence applications, and on 마련ing an institutional foundation covering the full industrial lifecycle.

The government for the first time stipulated in law grounds for supporting convergence technologies combining quantum computing and HPC and AI. It envisions combining quantum computing's computational power with AI's learning and inference capabilities for uses such as new drug development, materials design and solving optimisation problems.

In particular, it has become possible to support research and development, demonstrations and workforce training related to quantum AI. It also required the national comprehensive quantum plan to include measures to promote the use of AI and ensure safety and reliability.

Support for industrialisation will also be strengthened. If regulations arise in the process of research and development and commercialisation of quantum technologies and products, companies or research institutions will be able to apply to the government for regulatory improvements, and the government will be required to take measures such as revising relevant laws and granting regulatory exemptions.

It also created grounds for diagnosing vulnerable elements in supply chains and building a response system for key quantum materials, components and equipment. It clarified location criteria such as transport networks, infrastructure and connectivity when designating quantum clusters. It also introduced a special exemption under proactive administration to reduce public officials' liability for minor negligence that occurs in the process of commercialising quantum technologies and improving regulations.

The amendment also newly included an obligation to build a quantum security system in response to hacking threats from AI such as Mythos and to the long-term development of quantum computing. The government, local governments and public institutions will have to establish and 추진 plans to secure and apply quantum security technologies such as post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD).

It also 마련ed grounds for applying quantum technologies in the defence sector. The Ministry of Science and ICT said it will cooperate with related agencies including the defence ministry to enable 추진 development and demonstrations of quantum technologies in areas such as quantum radar, quantum navigation, and military communications and encryption systems. It mandated prior impact assessments for projects that use quantum technologies in areas affecting national security and people's lives, including space, defence, communications, energy, finance and transport.

The ministry plans to specify impact assessment targets and procedures, detailed standards for building quantum security systems, and requirements for designating dedicated institutions for quantum AI and supply chains through enactment of enforcement decrees and enforcement rules.

Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Kyung-hoon Bae (배경훈) said, "Quantum is a key strategic technology that can overcome AI's high power consumption and limitations in computing speed and advance AI innovation." He said, "We will strengthen policy support across the full lifecycle so that South Korea can lead the era after AI."