IonQ Signs MoU With KISTI to Accelerate South Korea's Role in the Global Quantum Race
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 (NYSE:IONQ), a leading commercial quantum computing and networking company, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI), a leading national science and technology research institute and supercomputing center. The memorandum marks a significant expansion of IonQ's long standing relationship with South Korea's government, academic and industry sectors, aligning efforts intended to accelerate the national development of quantum science and industry.
Under the terms of the MoU, IonQ and KISTI will collaborate in four key areas: advanced infrastructure access, education, talent and knowledge exchange as well as collaboration to expand market opportunities. The two organizations will work together with the intent to introduce quantum systems into KISTI and plan to integrate these systems with KISTI's high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure.
IonQ and KISTI also plan to collaborate on joint initiatives for talent upskilling including internships and training programs to strengthen the quantum computing research community in 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."
"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 announcement builds on an existing collaboration between IonQ and KISTI, including past initiatives supporting quantum research in both the U.S. and South Korea. As IonQ continues its global expansion, South Korea remains a critical partner in advancing quantum innovation. IonQ has also signed recent MoUs with SK Telecom, Busan Metropolitan City, Intellian Technologies, and has ongoing partnerships with Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University. In addition to these partnerships, IonQ has invested in local education and innovation initiatives such as executive training seminars, hackathons, and the sponsorship of the Quantum Korea conference.
This latest collaboration with KISTI is intended to support the next phase of South Korea's national quantum strategy, with a focus on accessibility, workforce readiness, and research leadership. The partnership also aligns with South Korea's National Quantum Science and Technology Strategy, which aims to position the country among the world's top quantum economies by 2035.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. is a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world's largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ's current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company's innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek's 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes' 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In's 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
IonQ Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words "accessible," "accelerate," "aimed," "available," "collaborate," "cutting-edge," "delivering," "foster," "growth," "innovative," "impactful," "latest," "leader," "leading," "making," "plan," "position," "potential," "significant," "solving," "strategic," "unlock," "will," and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the IonQ's quantum computing capabilities and plans; the future impacts of IonQ's offerings available today; and the scalability, fidelity, efficiency, viability, accessibility, effectiveness, importance, reliability, performance, speed, impact, practicality, feasibility, and commercial-readiness of IonQ's offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: IonQ's ability to implement its technical roadmap; changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ's ability to deliver, and customers' ability to generate, value from IonQ's offerings; IonQ's ability to sell effectively to government entities and large enterprises; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ's and its suppliers' businesses; IonQ's ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ's ability to effectively enter new markets; IonQ's ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; KISTI deciding or declining to enter into binding contracts with IonQ as intended under this non-binding MOU; the inability of IonQ's suppliers to deliver components that meet expectations timely; changes in Korean government spending or policy that may affect IonQ's customers; and risks associated with Korean government sales, including availability of funding and provisions that may allow the government to unilaterally terminate or modify contracts for convenience. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company's filings, including but not limited to those described in the "Risk Factors" section of IonQ's most recent periodic financial report (10-Q or 10-K) filed by IonQ with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future.
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