Seoul: The government of South Korea announced Wednesday major projects to foster cutting-edge technologies across seven sectors, including renewable energy and space science, as part of broader efforts to explore new growth engines.
According to Qatar News Agency, the projects are part of the "Seven Major SEED" initiative, unveiled by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources during a policy briefing at the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae). The initiative aims to secure new growth engines for the nation by focusing on renewable energy, cutting-edge technologies, and an advanced supply-chain ecosystem.
In renewable energy, the government plans to commercialize light-water small modular reactors by 2035, while beginning construction of non-light-water small modular reactors around 2030. It also plans to establish a special-purpose company in partnership with the private sector to oversee the advanced modular reactor project from the development stage, while working to build a homegrown fusion reactor by 2035.
In cutting-edge technologies, the initiative will focus on quantum computing, space science, and advanced biotechnology. Seoul aims to develop a homegrown 100-qubit quantum computer by 2029, while strengthening the country's capacity to manufacture quantum chips in support of its ambition to become a global leader in the field over the next decade.
In the space sector, the country seeks to enhance its position on the global stage by completing a low-Earth-orbit satellite communications network by 2035. In biotechnology, the government plans to establish AI-based bio infrastructure by 2030, including AI models capable of predicting changes in cancer cells.
It also plans to develop core technologies for brain-computer interfaces, with the goal of launching a commercial product based on the technology by 2035. As part of efforts to strengthen supply chains, the initiative includes securing the critical minerals and equipment required to support these projects, with a target of raising the recycling rate of 10 key minerals to 20% by 2030.
The government also plans to invest ?10 trillion ($7.1 billion) over the next five years in research and development related to critical equipment.