South Korea has unveiled a seven-part technology strategy spanning nuclear energy, quantum computing, space, biotechnology, renewable energy, and critical minerals as President Lee Jae Myung looks beyond semiconductors and AI for the country’s next growth engines.
The Seven Major SEED initiative sets deadlines extending into 2035, including a Moon landing in 2030, a domestic 100-qubit error-correcting quantum computer by 2029, commercial deployment of a homegrown small modular reactor by 2035, and brain-computer interface products by 2035. The government also plans a public-private task force to accelerate commercialization and regulatory reform.
Seven Major SEED puts long-term tech markets on a timetable
The strategy covers small modular reactors, fusion energy, next-generation renewable energy, quantum technology, space and aviation, advanced biotechnology, and critical minerals and materials supply chains.
In nuclear energy, South Korea aims to commercialize a domestically developed small modular reactor by 2035 and begin construction of non-light-water SMRs during the 2030s. Fusion-based electricity generation is targeted for the late 2030s, while renewable-energy work includes ultra-efficient solar cells, offshore wind technology, hydrogen production, and AI-based power-grid systems.
Quantum computing carries one of the earliest deadlines. South Korea plans to develop a 100-qubit error-correcting quantum computer by 2029 and target global leadership in quantum-chip manufacturing by 2035.
The space program includes a Moon landing in 2030, a second lunar lander mission in 2032, and an independent low-Earth-orbit satellite communications network by 2035. KASA said in July that the 2030 mission would use a privately developed small lunar lander aboard the three-stage Nuri rocket.
Biotechnology targets include AI-bio infrastructure by 2030 and brain-computer interface products by 2035, alongside AI-driven drug discovery, autonomous laboratories, and advanced gene and cell therapies.
For technology companies across APAC, those deadlines identify areas where South Korean research funding, regulatory work, and public-private partnerships are likely to concentrate. Suppliers in quantum hardware, advanced materials, grid technology, aerospace, biotech tools, and nuclear systems could gain new opportunities as projects move toward commercialization.
Critical minerals connect the strategy to current supply-chain pressure
Seoul plans to expand domestic processing and recycling of critical minerals, increase strategic stockpiles, diversify sourcing, and invest 10 trillion won in materials, parts, and equipment technologies by 2030.
That direction extends existing efforts to strengthen domestic technology supply chains. South Korea recently introduced a $3.5 billion semiconductor fund for chip suppliers and fabless companies, while a separate sovereign investment initiative is targeting AI, data centers, chips, and other strategic industries.
Seven Major SEED pushes that industrial-policy approach into sectors where South Korea does not yet hold the kind of global position it has in memory chips. A domestic LEO network could create new communications infrastructure, quantum-chip investment could expand the regional hardware ecosystem, and critical-mineral processing could give manufacturers additional sourcing options.
The dates also create measurable tests. A 100-qubit system is due in 2029, the first lunar landing and AI-bio infrastructure are targeted for 2030, and several commercialization goals land in 2035. Progress would translate the strategy into new vendors, infrastructure, and supply relationships; delays would expose where technical or funding constraints are slowing the plan.
South Korea is using the current semiconductor and AI boom to build a wider technology portfolio. If the program advances on schedule, companies across APAC could encounter new Korean suppliers and partners in sectors ranging from quantum hardware and communications to energy, biotech, and critical materials.
Also read: SK hynix’s latest memory expansion adds tens of billions of dollars in new chip capacity as AI demand continues to strain global memory supply.
