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Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do Selected for MSIT’s National Quantum Cluster Program, Poised to Become a Global Quantum Hub

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Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do announced that the “Southeast Region Quantum Sensing Cluster,” jointly proposed by the three cities and province as a unified interregional team, has been selected for the National Quantum Cluster program led by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

With this selection, Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do will bring together the region’s research and industrial capabilities to fully embark on establishing an interregional quantum industry ecosystem that connects quantum technologies with the region’s key industries.

The “Southeast Region Quantum Sensing Cluster” is an interregional cooperation project that Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do will jointly implement for four years from 2027 to 2030.

The project will develop quantum sensing as a core specialized field and strengthen technological competitiveness by linking it with quantum materials, parts and equipment and quantum algorithms.

Pusan National University and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) will serve as two technology hubs responsible for research and development and technical support. Four demand-oriented spokes covering shipbuilding and maritime industries, ports and logistics, aerospace and defense, and mobility and energy will be operated in connection with industrial demand throughout Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do.

Gyeongsangnam-do will actively participate in identifying industrial demand for quantum sensing technologies and conducting demonstrations based on its competitive industries, including aerospace and defense, shipbuilding and maritime industries, and machinery and mobility. Through these efforts, the project will support the application of technologies developed at the technology hubs to industrial sites across Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do and facilitate their commercialization.

Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do will promote the deep-tech transformation of industry by linking and demonstrating quantum technologies in the region’s key industries.

Focusing on major regional industries such as shipbuilding and maritime industries, ports and logistics, aerospace and defense, and mobility and energy, the three regions will identify potential applications for quantum sensing technologies and gradually carry out demonstrations after comprehensively reviewing industrial demand, technological feasibility and other relevant factors.

In line with the Ministry of Science and ICT’s policy direction for the “Seven SEEDs” future growth engines, the three regions will also establish an integrated support system covering technology discovery, validation, demonstration and commercialization so that innovative quantum technologies developed in university and research institute laboratories can progress to industrial demonstrations and commercialization.

Through these efforts, the Southeast Region will be developed into a hub for quantum technology commercialization where outstanding quantum research achievements lead to innovation at local companies and the creation of new industries.

Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do will also support the development of quantum materials, parts and equipment technologies and research and development of quantum algorithms, while establishing a system for cultivating interdisciplinary quantum talent with the participation of local universities, research institutes and companies.

Through this initiative, the three regions plan to create a full-cycle quantum industry ecosystem encompassing research and development, industrial demonstration, corporate technology commercialization and the cultivation of specialized professionals, thereby generating new regional growth engines and high-skilled jobs for young people.

The project budget will be determined based on the formulation and finalization of the central government’s 2027 budget.

Local funding will be provided through matching contributions at a specified ratio to central government grants, with Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do planning to share the local contribution equally. The exact project scale and each region’s contribution may be adjusted depending on the final central government budget and other factors.

The heads of Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do jointly stated, “The selection for the National Quantum Cluster program is a significant achievement made possible by Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do joining forces as one team beyond regional boundaries.”

They added, “By combining the strong industrial foundations and research capabilities of Busan, Ulsan and Gyeongsangnam-do with quantum sensing, materials, parts and equipment, and algorithm technologies, we will enhance the competitiveness of the region’s key industries and develop the Southeast Region into a global quantum hub representing the Republic of Korea.”