South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT is leading discussions on international cooperation to drive innovation in quantum technologies.

The ministry said on June 1 it will co-host a high-level event on “international cooperation for the second quantum revolution” on June 2 at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

The event is a key side meeting held on the occasion of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. South Korea, Finland, Japan and the United Kingdom, along with the OECD Global Forum on Technology (GFTech), will jointly host it. Ryu Je-myung (류제명), the ministry's second vice minister, will attend as South Korea's lead representative.

Quantum technologies such as quantum computing, quantum communications and quantum sensing have high potential in science and technology innovation and economic spillover effects. They also raise new policy challenges including digital security, privacy protection, national security and technology access.

The event will discuss a vision for international cooperation to boost quantum technology innovation and its economic use while safeguarding democratic values, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It will also cover policies for responsible development and use of quantum technologies and securing resilience in global supply chains.

Ryu will actively welcome the adoption of the “OECD Recommendation on Quantum Technologies,” described as the world’s first comprehensive quantum policy guidelines, and will share South Korea’s role in leading the drafting process. He will also attend a high-level panel session to introduce South Korea’s capabilities to industrialise quantum science and technology and its research and development programmes.

Ryu said cooperation based on each country's strengths is important for key emerging technologies, including quantum technology. He said South Korea will actively contribute to the development of the global quantum industry through its advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and related ecosystem.