South Korea announces its future technology projects and targets a moon landing by 2030

South Korea unveiled a 'ambitious' technology strategy on Wednesday, centered on seven projects ranging from quantum computing and nuclear energy to biotechnology and space. The country is looking for new growth engines outside semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

The "Seven Major SEED Initiative" announced at the Blue House Meeting chaired President Lee Jae Myung includes goals such as commercial deployment of 'indigenous small modules reactors' by 2035, moon landings by 2030, and development?of an indigenous 100-qubit quantum computer by 2029.

Bae Kyunghoon, the Science Minister, said that seven projects are being undertaken in small modular reactors (SMR), fusion energy, new-generation renewable energies, quantum technology and space and aviation.

South Korea is preparing for a?slower?long-term economic growth, and a global competition that intensifies in emerging technologies. Governments are increasingly recognizing these technologies as being critical to national security and economic competitiveness.

Bae stated, "We will help grow these seeds and build a South Korea that no one else can match in 10 or 20 Years." (Reporting and editing by Ed Davies. Kyu-seok Shim)

(source: Reuters)