WEBVTT 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:02.480 There is a field that leads our industry, even though it is invisible. 00:00:02.480 --> 00:00:05.400 It is a field that quietly drives progress. 00:00:05.400 --> 00:00:08.240 It is quantum science and technology. 00:00:08.240 --> 00:00:10.960 It may sound complex, 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:13.200 but it has already become essential 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.360 across many industries. 00:00:15.360 --> 00:00:17.359 Using quantum principles, 00:00:17.359 --> 00:00:20.119 we can protect information more securely, 00:00:20.119 --> 00:00:22.519 and build sensors that detect extremely subtle motion. 00:00:22.519 --> 00:00:26.720 These technologies are advancing rapidly. 00:00:26.720 --> 00:00:28.599 Today, we look at 00:00:28.599 --> 00:00:33.840 the future industries being reshaped by quantum science. 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:37.320 Today we will discuss quantum science and technology, 00:00:37.320 --> 00:00:40.079 a key future technology shaping competitiveness. 00:00:40.079 --> 00:00:42.239 We are joined by Mr. Sean Kwak. 00:00:42.239 --> 00:00:43.840 Hello. 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:44.680 Hello. 00:00:44.680 --> 00:00:45.719 Welcome. 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:47.840 Thank you for having me. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:00:51.600 The government recently announced plans to foster quantum technology 00:00:51.600 --> 00:00:53.480 as a key future strategic technology. 00:00:53.480 --> 00:00:56.079 It is emerging as a new source of national competitiveness. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:59.079 Many people find quantum technology difficult, 00:00:59.079 --> 00:01:02.440 and even the basic concept can feel unfamiliar. 00:01:02.440 --> 00:01:05.799 Could you explain it in simple terms? 00:01:07.200 --> 00:01:09.799 Explaining quantum technology simply is not easy, 00:01:09.799 --> 00:01:12.720 but I will do my best. 00:01:12.720 --> 00:01:15.640 Quantum technology leverages special rules 00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:18.600 that appear at extremely small scales, 00:01:18.600 --> 00:01:21.479 below the atomic level—such as electrons and light. 00:01:21.479 --> 00:01:23.320 We turn those rules into engineering. 00:01:23.320 --> 00:01:26.000 Two representative concepts are superposition 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:28.560 and entanglement. 00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:31.040 For example, imagine a coin standing upright, 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:34.159 where heads is 1 and tails is 0. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:36.759 If you spin it, 00:01:36.759 --> 00:01:38.759 you cannot say whether it is 0 or 1. 00:01:38.759 --> 00:01:41.320 That is similar to superposition. 00:01:41.320 --> 00:01:44.280 Now imagine two such coins, 00:01:44.280 --> 00:01:46.200 one here and one 2.5 million light-years away in Andromeda. 00:01:46.200 --> 00:01:49.159 If you observe this one as 1, 00:01:49.159 --> 00:01:53.079 the other is determined as 0 at the same time. 00:01:54.360 --> 00:01:57.240 That phenomenon is called entanglement. 00:01:57.240 --> 00:02:02.360 I also try to learn from videos and lectures, 00:02:02.360 --> 00:02:06.719 but it is still difficult to fully grasp. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:12.239 If we talk about real applications, does it become easier to understand? 00:02:14.519 --> 00:02:18.599 Yes. We apply these properties in three main areas. 00:02:20.720 --> 00:02:21.640 First, 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:23.480 quantum computing. 00:02:23.480 --> 00:02:27.560 It enables many calculations in parallel. 00:02:27.560 --> 00:02:29.400 That can accelerate 00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:31.959 drug discovery, 00:02:31.959 --> 00:02:34.440 climate prediction, 00:02:34.440 --> 00:02:36.680 and advanced materials research— 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:38.280 problems that would take classical computers enormous time. 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:40.000 Second, 00:02:40.000 --> 00:02:42.440 quantum-secure communication. 00:02:42.440 --> 00:02:45.879 We create superposition states of single photons, 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:48.879 and if someone tries to observe them, 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:51.360 the superposition collapses— 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.480 so eavesdropping can be detected. 00:02:53.480 --> 00:02:55.680 Third, 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:58.120 quantum sensors. 00:02:58.120 --> 00:03:01.680 They can measure magnetic fields, gravity, time, and more, 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:04.239 with performance beyond conventional sensors. 00:03:04.239 --> 00:03:06.519 In short, 00:03:06.519 --> 00:03:09.159 quantum technology takes computing, security, and sensing 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:12.080 into an entirely new dimension. 00:03:17.519 --> 00:03:23.040 Among these areas, which should we pay the most attention to? 00:03:29.159 --> 00:03:31.280 All three are important. 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:33.599 But in terms of difficulty 00:03:33.599 --> 00:03:36.319 and the potential for a major revolution, 00:03:36.319 --> 00:03:39.000 quantum computing receives the most attention. 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:41.000 It can drive societal change 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:43.480 through fundamentally different computation. 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:46.400 However, it can also break today’s encryption systems, 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:48.720 so we must build secure systems first. 00:03:48.720 --> 00:03:51.120 In Korea, our technology in this area is strong globally. 00:03:51.120 --> 00:03:55.879 We also have many researchers in quantum sensing. 00:03:55.879 --> 00:04:01.360 To industrialize faster, I believe strong government support is essential. 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:18.040 People say the next era after AI is quantum technology. 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:23.600 Some describe it in one phrase as “much faster.” 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:25.759 We also hear that quantum technology is moving 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:28.120 from the lab into real-world deployment. 00:04:28.120 --> 00:04:30.160 Is that true? 00:04:37.320 --> 00:04:40.400 Yes, that is correct. 00:04:40.400 --> 00:04:46.160 Many quantum computing companies already exist worldwide, 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:48.479 and the field has moved from science into engineering. 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:53.639 In Korea, for example, quantum-secure networks 00:04:53.639 --> 00:05:00.840 have already been deployed at a national scale. 00:05:00.840 --> 00:05:03.400 A national backbone network is in place, 00:05:03.400 --> 00:05:05.960 supporting critical public services. 00:05:05.960 --> 00:05:11.000 When citizens request documents online— 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:14.800 such as resident registration certificates— 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:19.720 many of those services run over that secured backbone. 00:05:19.720 --> 00:05:22.400 Until now, the challenge has been that the equipment 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:26.639 is large and expensive, 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:27.240 so it has not reached every local office. 00:05:27.240 --> 00:05:30.520 It has mainly protected key segments of the network. 00:05:30.520 --> 00:05:34.800 That will likely become an important security system for the country. 00:05:34.800 --> 00:05:36.800 What other areas are seeing development? 00:05:38.840 --> 00:05:41.520 Many areas are progressing, 00:05:41.520 --> 00:05:46.680 but development is moving particularly quickly in healthcare. 00:05:46.680 --> 00:05:52.280 This trend is enabled by quantum-based biosensor technologies. 00:05:52.280 --> 00:05:58.360 Unlike conventional molecular diagnostics, our platform uses a core technology—single-photon detection. 00:05:58.360 --> 00:06:04.000 Because PCR amplification is not required, 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:08.880 we can deliver PCR-level accuracy within 15 minutes, 00:06:08.880 --> 00:06:11.479 including sample preparation. 00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:14.599 This enables a compact diagnostic device. 00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:21.080 Many rapid immunoassay kits used in clinics 00:06:21.080 --> 00:06:25.039 can struggle with false negatives. 00:06:25.400 --> 00:06:27.599 Our system addresses those limitations 00:06:27.599 --> 00:06:30.199 while keeping a similar turnaround time, 00:06:30.199 --> 00:06:34.080 and can distinguish positive and negative results 00:06:34.080 --> 00:06:37.560 with PCR-level accuracy. 00:06:37.560 --> 00:06:42.240 So it is more accurate and faster— that is the impact of the core quantum technology. 00:06:42.240 --> 00:06:47.280 If this quantum-based molecular diagnostic device is commercialized, 00:06:47.280 --> 00:06:50.160 what changes do you expect in healthcare? 00:06:50.160 --> 00:06:56.280 This device can be applied not only to human infectious diseases, 00:06:56.280 --> 00:06:59.400 but also to animal diseases, 00:06:59.400 --> 00:07:01.120 zoonotic diseases, 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:03.800 and even early cancer detection. 00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:06.280 It can improve public health outcomes, 00:07:06.280 --> 00:07:08.759 and because we do not require reagents that need cold storage, 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:11.199 a cold chain is not necessary. 00:07:11.199 --> 00:07:16.120 That can be especially impactful for communities in Africa 00:07:16.120 --> 00:07:17.400 and Southeast Asia. 00:07:17.400 --> 00:07:21.440 That sounds very positive. It could support more equitable access to care. 00:07:29.599 --> 00:07:34.759 With the rise of quantum computers, we often hear that existing security systems could be threatened. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:39.319 To prepare for that, development must happen in parallel. How do you see it? 00:07:41.639 --> 00:07:46.639 Before quantum computers can break current encryption, 00:07:46.639 --> 00:07:49.280 building secure networks is essential. 00:07:49.280 --> 00:07:54.000 The challenge has been that quantum security equipment 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.159 was costly, creating a barrier to adoption. 00:07:57.159 --> 00:08:02.159 With support from the Ministry of Science and ICT, 00:08:02.159 --> 00:08:04.560 we are developing systems that are smaller 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:08.960 and significantly more affordable than legacy equipment. 00:08:08.960 --> 00:08:11.280 That reduces the burden for critical agencies 00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:13.520 and telecom operators, 00:08:13.520 --> 00:08:19.080 so key national information can be protected more broadly. 00:08:19.080 --> 00:08:25.120 Our next ultra-compact systems can extend protection 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:27.919 even to home devices such as set-top boxes, 00:08:27.919 --> 00:08:30.360 helping protect personal information as well. 00:08:30.360 --> 00:08:37.479 How might these quantum technologies spread into other industries? 00:08:37.479 --> 00:08:42.479 In sensing, applications could include narcotics detection, 00:08:42.479 --> 00:08:45.279 contamination detection in food factories, 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:48.680 stabilizing semiconductor manufacturing processes, 00:08:48.680 --> 00:08:51.120 and expanding into defense applications. 00:08:51.120 --> 00:08:56.680 Across industry, we expect sensing, security, and diagnostics 00:08:56.680 --> 00:08:57.360 to become foundational technologies. 00:08:57.360 --> 00:09:03.320 Finally, how do you think quantum technology will impact our lives 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:06.360 and industries overall? 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:09.320 Rather than giving a very specific prediction, 00:09:09.320 --> 00:09:16.040 think about the transformation from the analog era to the digital era. 00:09:16.040 --> 00:09:18.640 That revolution unfolded over the past 20 to 30 years. 00:09:18.640 --> 00:09:22.760 Over the next 20 to 30 years, 00:09:22.760 --> 00:09:28.959 I believe we will see an even larger transformation— 00:09:28.959 --> 00:09:30.560 a revolution of a different magnitude. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:36.000 My focus is to ensure the benefits of this quantum revolution 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:40.800 are translated into everyday life. 00:09:40.800 --> 00:09:49.920 Our company’s slogan is “Quantum technology into everyday life.” 00:09:49.920 --> 00:09:53.120 And we want these benefits to reach everyone— 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:58.880 regardless of whether they are in developed or developing regions. 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:02.720 We are working to make that a reality. 00:10:02.720 --> 00:10:06.839 We support you. 00:10:06.839 --> 00:10:11.279 Thank you for joining us for this discussion on quantum technology. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:13.160 Thank you, Mr. Kwak. 00:10:13.160 --> 00:10:17.279 Thank you.