Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Paik Kyung-hoon stated at the opening of 'Quantum Korea 2026' in Seoul on the 2nd that "AI computation methods will reach their limits in terms of cost and power," and that "for artificial general intelligence (AGI) to enter our daily lives, the commercialization of quantum computing technology is essential." Running from the 2nd to the 4th at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the event is South Korea's largest international quantum event, with 56 companies and research institutions from 12 countries showcasing achievements in quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing. The opening ceremony drew over 300 attendees, including delegations from the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia. Deputy PM Paik linked the government's 'Three Major Leap Forward Projects for South Korea' (semiconductors, physical AI, and AI data centers) with quantum technology, stating, "After artificial intelligence comes quantum." He noted the government is preparing projects to build clusters in the quantum field and will create a cooperative framework through a Quantum Alliance. Exhibiting companies included IBM, IonQ, Quandela, and Pasqal, alongside domestic institutions like the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS).