South Korea unveils seven tech projects ranging from nuclear energy to moon landing by 2030

SEOUL- South Korea unveiled on Wednesday an ambitious technology strategy centred on seven projects ranging from nuclear energy and quantum computing to space and biotechnology, as the country seeks to secure new growth engines beyond semiconductors and AI.

The "Seven Major SEED" initiative, announced at a Blue House meeting chaired by President Lee Jae Myung, brings together goals including commercial deployment of indigenous small modular reactors by 2035, a moon landing by 2030, development of a domestic 100-qubit quantum computer by 2029 and commercialisation of brain-computer interface products by 2035.

The seven projects cover small modular reactors, fusion energy, next-generation renewable energy, quantum technology, space and aviation, advanced biotechnology, and critical minerals and materials supply chains, Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said.

The plan comes as South Korea looks to prepare for slower long-term economic growth and intensifying global competition in emerging technologies that governments increasingly view as critical to both economic competitiveness and national security.

"We will help these seeds grow and build a South Korea that no one can rival in 10 or 20 years," Bae said.

-Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim; Editing by Ed Davies/Reuters