South Korea has launched an ambitious strategy to position itself as a global leader in next-generation technologies, with President Lee Jae-myung presenting the "Seven Major SEED" initiative at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday.
The plan targets commercialization of small modular nuclear reactors by 2035, a lunar landing by 2030, and development of a 100-qubit quantum computer by 2029. The government also aims to commercialize brain-computer interface products by 2035 and invest roughly $7 billion by 2030 in materials, components, and equipment technologies. Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said the initiative spans nuclear fusion, next-generation renewables, aerospace, advanced biotech, and critical mineral supply chains.
Lee described the program as the next growth engine for South Korea's economy, while Bae vowed to build a nation that "no one can compete with in 10 or 20 years."