South Korea sets 2030 moon landing target in seven-technology strategy

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea has unveiled a strategy built around seven core technology projects, including a target to land on the lunar surface by 2030. The "Seven Major Seeds" initiative, announced at a meeting chaired by President Lee Jae-myung, covers nuclear energy, quantum computing, space, biotechnology and advanced materials. Under the plan, South Korea aims to achieve a soft landing on the moon by 2030, develop a 100-qubit domestic quantum computer by 2029 and commercialize brain-computer interface products by 2035, according to Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon. Bae said the projects span small modular nuclear reactors, nuclear fusion energy, next-generation renewable energy, quantum technology, aerospace, advanced biotechnology and critical mineral supply chains. He framed the strategy as a response to long-term economic slowdown and as a way to capitalize on the growing economic and security importance of emerging technologies. The minister said the government intends to support the projects to build "an unrivaled South Korea within 10 to 20 years." Further details on funding and implementation were not immediately available.