Memorandum aims to integrate IonQ’s quantum technology into South Korea’s high-performance computing infrastructure, fueling R&D, talent development, and ecosystem growth.
IonQ, a trailblazer in commercial quantum computing and networking, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) — a premier national research institute and supercomputing center in South Korea. This agreement marks a significant milestone in IonQ’s ongoing collaboration with South Korea’s government, academic institutions, and technology sectors, reinforcing shared commitments to drive the growth of quantum science and industry nationwide.
As part of the MoU, IonQ and KISTI will join forces across four key pillars: providing advanced infrastructure access, promoting educational and talent development initiatives, facilitating knowledge exchange, and exploring joint go-to-market strategies. A major focus of the partnership will be integrating IonQ’s quantum systems into KISTI’s high-performance computing (HPC) ecosystem — creating a hybrid environment designed to unlock new computational capabilities.
In addition, the collaboration will prioritize building quantum talent pipelines through internship opportunities and training programs, aimed at cultivating the next generation of quantum computing experts within South Korea.
“South Korea has been a vital partner in the advancement of quantum computing, and we’re proud to deepen our collaboration with KISTI as we expand our footprint in South Korea,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. “This memorandum reflects a strategic alignment between public sector science policy leadership and private sector innovators to unlock real-world quantum applications, foster local talent, and position the region as a global force in the quantum economy.”
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“Despite the infinite potential of quantum computing and the growing global interest, Korean companies and researchers still face a significant lack of infrastructure for actual research,” said Dr. Sik Lee, President of KISTI. “As a leading institution in supercomputing, KISTI has long supported Korean researchers with world-class supercomputing services. Now, we plan to pioneer a new frontier by offering hybrid services that leverage quantum computing, further supporting Korea’s industry and research community. We are very pleased to collaborate with IonQ, the world’s leading quantum computing and networking company, on this highly ambitious journey.”
This partnership builds upon a longstanding relationship between IonQ and KISTI, which has previously supported collaborative quantum research efforts in both South Korea and the United States. The MoU also complements IonQ’s broader initiatives in the region, which include recent agreements with SK Telecom, Busan Metropolitan City, and Intellian Technologies, as well as academic partnerships with Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University.
Further supporting its commitment to regional innovation, IonQ has invested in local workforce and ecosystem development through executive training programs, student hackathons, and its continued sponsorship of the Quantum Korea conference.
This latest agreement is designed to accelerate South Korea’s National Quantum Science and Technology Strategy, which outlines the country’s ambition to emerge as a top-tier global quantum economy by 2035. The IonQ–KISTI partnership specifically supports this mission by advancing accessibility, research excellence, and workforce readiness across the quantum technology landscape.