– The Korean delegation attended the 5th QDG meeting.
– The QDG is an international consultative body comprising 13 member countries, aimed at fostering a trustworthy quantum ecosystem and protecting quantum technologies.
【Relevant National Task】
121. Strengthening Economic Diplomacy Capabilities to Overcome Economic Security and Trade Challenges
A government delegation of the Republic of Korea participated in the 5th meeting of the Quantum Development Group (QDG) held in London from March 30 to April 1, 2026. The meeting brought together delegations from 13 countries* and the Korean delegation was led by Park Jong-han, Director General for Economic Diplomacy Coordination at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), alongside officials from MOFA and the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).
* The Republic of Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Canada, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Switzerland
The QDG is an international consultative body launched in July 2024 to foster an ecosystem based on quantum information science and technology (QIST) and to protect technologies among participating countries. It also aims to strengthen international cooperation for the responsible development and commercialization of quantum technologies. The group discusses ways to expand practical cooperation across four areas: investment, supply chains, industry outlook and technology protection. Korea, as a joint lead country in investment, is committed to promoting private-sector investment and creating conditions for quantum investment.
The meeting opened with remarks by Lord Patrick Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Member countries agreed on the need to develop quantum technologies in a way that is safe, trustworthy, and beneficial to the global economy. In addition, participants discussed ways to improve cooperation in three key areas of security, investment, and standards, focusing on 1) strengthening research and investment security, 2) building a favorable investment environment through expanded cooperation between governments and investors, and 3) fostering the industrial use of quantum technologies through enhanced cooperation on standards.
“To build a quantum ecosystem, it is essential to maintain close cooperation among QDG member countries,” Director General Park emphasized.
During the meeting, the Korean delegation announced the launch of the “Quantum Technology Council,” a key government initiative to encourage domestic industry participation in the quantum sector, in which leading Korean companies including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, and SKT will pursue joint R&D in quantum and industry-academia-research collaboration. The delegation also presented plans to establish a quantum cluster for industry-academia cooperation and host a quantum computer manufacturing challenge.