South Korea's three major telecoms unveil next-generation quantum encryption technologies

South Korea's three major telecom carriers are all racing to develop next-generation quantum encryption technologies.

The push reflects a growing sense of urgency that existing encryption systems must be overhauled as advances in AI and quantum computing fundamentally reshape the cybersecurity threat landscape.

According to industry sources Thursday, the three carriers unveiled next-generation quantum encryption technologies and solutions designed for the AI and 6G era at Quantum Korea 2026, running through Saturday at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.

Quantum Korea is the country's largest global quantum industry exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, and showcases the latest technologies and solutions across the quantum sector.

SK Telecom presented three next-generation technologies aimed at overcoming the limitations of existing quantum encryption: photonic integrated circuit (PIC)-based quantum key distribution (QKD), PIC-based quantum random number generator (QRNG) technology, and wireless and satellite QKD technology.

SK Telecom has implemented a 10 Gbps-class high-performance QRNG on an ultra-compact chip measuring just 10×10 square millimeters. The company is also developing an integrated QKD chip that incorporates the transmitter, receiver and QRNG optical systems in a single unit. The miniaturization, cost reduction and mass production potential of PIC-based quantum encryption technology are expected to accelerate widespread adoption.

The company also unveiled two quantum security solutions: Q-HSM (Quantum Hardware Security Module) and Q-SSE (Quantum Secure Service Edge).

Q-HSM is a hybrid next-generation quantum encryption single chip that combines QRNG, post-quantum cryptography (PQC), modern encryption technology and physical unclonable function (PUF) technology to counter hacking threats from quantum computers. It is designed for use in drones, AI-enabled CCTV systems and robots on 6G networks.

Q-SSE is a solution that supports zero-trust access control and secure large language model (LLM) service use, based on QRNG and PQC. SK Telecom plans to expand the domestic rollout of quantum security by tapping into growing demand from the defense and public sectors.

KT also showcased quantum encryption technologies including PQC and quantum key distribution.

PQC is a next-generation encryption method designed to resist decryption even if quantum computers become available. Quantum key distribution enables the secure exchange of cryptographic values needed to protect data, and is considered virtually impossible to hack.

KT has also developed a technology capable of transmitting quantum encryption over wireless environments. Last year, the company confirmed it could operate over a distance of approximately 4.8 kilometers at its Daedeok 2 Research Center in Daejeon. It is currently working to extend that range to more than 10 kilometers.

KT is also presenting pilot case studies of quantum encryption communication services applied in the public, financial and defense sectors. A leading example is the application of PQC to key defense systems under the "2026 Post-Quantum Cryptography Pilot Transition Support Project," jointly run by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency. Other cases include an interoperability demonstration of heterogeneous quantum encryption communication between Seoul and Busan, a hybrid quantum security network for Shinhan Bank, and an AI medical data encryption project for the National Cancer Center.

LG Uplus is also accelerating its push to expand PQC-based security services, with plans to apply quantum security technology across its full range of enterprise services — spanning telecommunications networks, authentication, account management and network security — in a bid to capture an early lead in the market.

Building on what it calls the world's first PQC-based dedicated leased-line service, LG Uplus has extended PQC technology to additional network areas including optical transport network equipment (ROADM), industrial SIM cards and virtual private networks (VPN). The company's strength lies in having commercialized these services in a form that enterprise customers can actually use.

Alpha Key, an integrated account management service launched in early last year, is part of the same effort. Alpha Key is a software-as-a-service (SaaS)-based solution that centrally manages employee accounts and access rights in workplace environments. By applying PQC technology to the user authentication process, it provides a security framework capable of withstanding the quantum computing era.

LG Uplus is also stepping up its push into the public sector. The company is carrying out a PQC transition project targeting key systems at the Korea Communications Agency, and is running pilot programs to apply PQC-based security frameworks to the national qualification examination system and the ICT fund management system.