Kim Ki-hwan, the inaugural head of the Ion Trap Quantum Science Research Group at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), stated that China did not become a quantum powerhouse solely through its own efforts. He emphasized that since 2011, providing young researchers with quality equipment and sufficient funding, along with immediate opportunities to start their research, has been crucial.
Kim made these remarks during an interview following his lecture at the 2026 World Korean Scientists and Engineers Conference held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam, Seoul. He noted, 'Quantum technology ultimately relies on people,' stressing the importance of creating an ecosystem where young researchers can start and grow their research in a stable environment.
Having served as a professor in the Department of Physics at Tsinghua University in China for 14 years, Kim witnessed firsthand the country's rise to the forefront of quantum technology. He returned to Korea last year after stepping down from his professorship to lead the IBS Ion Trap Quantum Science Research Group.
Kim identified the 'bold opportunities given to young researchers' as a key factor in China's rapid ascent as a quantum leader. He recalled that when he announced his move to China in 2011, he faced skepticism from peers who distrusted Chinese research. 'Now, researchers who studied abroad prefer to return to China, indicating a complete transformation of the research ecosystem,' he said.
He explained that a significant change occurred when young researchers, validated by the U.S. and Europe, were provided with ample funding and research environments to pursue their interests immediately. 'Over 10 to 15 years, this system has completely transformed the research community,' he added.
During his six months leading the research group in Korea, Kim noted that the most pressing issue has been the shortage of researchers. He explained, 'Since IBS is not directly linked to universities, it is challenging to secure research personnel, and the pool of researchers in the quantum field is still small.' He acknowledged that while the group should ideally be led by PhD-level researchers, the reality is that they need to focus on training researchers first.
Kim assessed that the shortage of personnel is not just a problem in research but also affects domestic equipment development and the industrial ecosystem. Currently, many essential tools for ion trap quantum research, such as lasers, vacuum equipment, and control devices, are heavily reliant on foreign sources.
'China initially used mostly foreign equipment, but as the number of researchers and the market grew, they succeeded in significant domestic production,' he noted. 'Korea has the technical capability, but the market is still small, making it relatively burdensome for companies to invest.'
However, he expressed confidence in Korea's potential. 'Korea has global manufacturing competitiveness, particularly in semiconductors, and by integrating this with quantum technology, there are areas where we can secure competitiveness,' he said. 'Yet, there are still not many people who understand both semiconductor and quantum technologies.'
Ultimately, Kim concluded, 'Quantum competitiveness comes from people. Creating an ecosystem where young researchers can continue their work in laboratories and companies is the starting point for enhancing Korea's quantum technology competitiveness.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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