In Brief:
- South Korea unveiled its "Seven Major SEED" plan to develop tech drivers beyond AI and semiconductors.
- Key Sectors: Nuclear, quantum, space, renewables, biotech, and critical minerals.
- Milestones: 100-qubit quantum processor (2029), moon landing (2030), indigenous SMRs and brain-computer interfaces (2035).
- Investment: 10 trillion won ($7.1B) by 2030 for supply chain security.
- Purpose: Counter workforce decline and enhance national security/competitiveness.
South Korea has unveiled its "Seven Major SEED" initiative, a comprehensive technology strategy designed to establish next-generation growth drivers beyond semiconductors and AI. Announced by President Lee Jae Myung, the plan targets key advancements across nuclear energy, quantum computing, space exploration, renewable energy, advanced biotechnology, and critical minerals.
Major milestones include landing an uncrewed craft on the moon by 2030, developing a 100-qubit quantum processor by 2029, commercializing indigenous small modular reactors (SMRs) and brain-computer interfaces by 2035, and investing 10 trillion won ($7.1 billion) by 2030 to strengthen critical material supply chains.
Through regulatory reforms and public-private collaboration, the South Korean government aims to address national challenges like a shrinking working-age population while boosting long-term economic competitiveness and national security.
