Seoul and SEALSQ build center for post-quantum chip security

Seoul and SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) will collaborate on a new research and design center focused on securing semiconductor chips against future quantum cyberattacks.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has committed $136 million for quantum R&D in 2025, recognizing the growing need for post-quantum cryptography as South Korea maintains its 17% share of the global semiconductor market. “The country’s economy runs on semiconductors,” said SEALSQ Director David Fergusson, “Yet, without secure chips, it will be impossible to sustain the growth of this integrated digital society.” The center will utilize RISC-V chip architectures and adhere to both Common Criteria and NIST’s Post-Quantum Cryptography guidelines. Seoul and SEALSQ Establish Post-Quantum Semiconductor Research Center This technical approach demonstrates a commitment to internationally recognized security standards as the threat from quantum-enabled code breaking increases. The center’s focus extends beyond terrestrial systems to encompass satellite infrastructure, anticipating vulnerabilities in space-based assets like communications networks and navigation systems. SEALSQ intends to address these vulnerabilities by integrating post-quantum cryptographic solutions at the semiconductor level, creating a unified security framework for both ground and space-based infrastructure. South Korea’s established position as a semiconductor leader, controlling 17% of the worldwide market, provided a strategic rationale for SEALSQ’s collaboration with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. “South Korea has long been a semiconductor powerhouse,” said SEALSQ’s Director David Fergusson, adding that the nation’s economy is deeply reliant on these chips across diverse sectors including automotive, telecommunications, and healthcare. Fergusson emphasized that sustained growth in this integrated digital society depends on the security of semiconductors, and that Seoul’s hosting of the SEALSQ center will strengthen its dominance in chip technology while positioning it as a pioneer in post-quantum security. This proactive stance aims to secure the country’s future competitiveness in a field expected to define global economics in the coming decade. The memorandum of understanding signed by Mayor Oh Se-hoon reflects the South Korean government’s recent commitment to piloting quantum security applications within core national infrastructure, including administration, communications, defense, and healthcare, signifying a broad-based effort to bolster national security. “Seoul joins hands with SEALSQ, the world’s leading quantum security technology company, to shape the future together,” said Mayor Oh, highlighting the ambition to lead not only in semiconductors but also in cybersecurity and space innovation. SEALSQ founder and CEO Carlos Moreira affirmed that the center’s work embedding post-quantum cryptography at the semiconductor level directly addresses a critical global challenge: maintaining the security of essential infrastructure in the face of advancing quantum computing capabilities. “The signing of this MoU with the City of Seoul marks an important milestone in our mission to build a quantum-safe world,” he stated. SEALSQ, spun out of WISeKey and listed on NASDAQ in 2023, has been actively investing in the post-quantum space, recently completing a $200 million Quantum Fund deployment that included the acquisition of Swiss quantum photonics company Miraex. Further demonstrating its commitment, SEALSQ will deploy $100 million through 2027 to advance CMOS-based quantum development with partners Quobly and EeroQ, alongside a $5 million commercial agreement with Quobly to integrate post-quantum security technologies into silicon quantum computing platforms, the company says. These investments, combined with the Seoul center, signal a comprehensive strategy to establish a robust and secure post-quantum ecosystem. Today, Seoul joins hands with SEALSQ, the world’s leading quantum security technology company, to shape the future together. Oh Se-hoon, Mayor, Seoul Metropolitan Government RISC-V Architecture Integrates NIST PQC for Chip Security The integration of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) directly into RISC-V chip architectures is central to a new collaboration between Seoul and SEALSQ, ensuring full compliance with both Common Criteria and NIST’s PQC guidelines. This approach moves beyond software-based solutions, embedding security at the semiconductor level to protect against future quantum-enabled cyberattacks. The planned facility will focus on researching, designing, testing, and embedding quantum-resistant cryptographic keys and identities directly into chips, a critical step in securing devices against emerging threats. SEALSQ is demonstrating a comprehensive approach to post-quantum security, converging terrestrial and space-based infrastructure for resilience in both domains, according to the company. SEALSQ’s strategy centers on RISC-V, an open-source instruction set architecture gaining traction in the semiconductor industry. The company launched the Quantum Shield QS7001 in November 2025, a NIST-compliant PQC hardware chip now deployed in millions of IoT and embedded devices worldwide. This chip, a post-quantum secure RISC-V microcontroller with a hardware root of trust, exemplifies SEALSQ’s commitment to proactive security measures. The establishment of a Quantum-Ready Facility in Seoul is part of SEALSQ’s broader global expansion through Public-Private Partnerships. Similar initiatives are underway in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, reflecting a concerted effort to build a global network of post-quantum security infrastructure. “By combining semiconductor expertise with quantum-ready cryptography, the new center would strengthen South Korea’s strategic role in global cybersecurity and digital sovereignty,” the source states. SEALSQ’s subsidiary, ICAlps, is also advancing its QASIC roadmap for quantum-resistant semiconductors, further demonstrating the company’s dedication to long-term security solutions, the firm reports. This collaborative effort aims to not only protect South Korea’s digital assets but also position Seoul as a trusted partner for international investors and businesses shaping the future of secure communications. By embedding post-quantum cryptography at the semiconductor level, we are addressing one of the most urgent global challenges: ensuring that critical infrastructure remains secure in the age of quantum computing. SEALSQ’s PPPs Expand Post-Quantum Security Globally Embedding post-quantum cryptography into satellite systems defines a key aspect of Seoul’s collaboration with SEALSQ, addressing a growing threat to global communications infrastructure as quantum computing capabilities expand. Space-based assets, including essential services like satellite communications and navigation, are increasingly vulnerable, prompting a proactive approach to securing these critical networks. The company’s commitment to RISC-V chip architectures, coupled with post-quantum cryptography, ensures alignment with emerging international standards, notably those established by NIST PQC guidelines. This strategic focus positions SEALSQ as a leader in compliance and resilience within the evolving post-quantum landscape, and builds on a $200 million investment raised to expand its vertical quantum stack, including the recent acquisition of Miraex SA to complete its quantum interconnect layer. The government has committed $136 million for quantum R&D in 2025, positioning the country as an early adopter of quantum-secure communications and encryption technologies. This partnership utilizes expertise and collaboration with industry institutions and private-sector specialists, supporting both global enterprises entering the city and Seoul-based companies seeking international growth. By hosting SEALSQ’s Post-Quantum Semiconductor Center in Seoul, the nation is not only strengthening its dominance in chips but also positioning itself as a first mover in post-quantum security, a field that will define global competitiveness in the coming decade. Source: https://www.sealsq.com/investors/news-releases/sealsq-and-the-seoul-metropolitan-government-sign-mou-to-establish-a-post-quantum-semiconductor-personalization-research-and-design-center-in-seoul More like thisQuantum Computing Business News$1.5M contract follows $3.5M seed for Qubic’s quantum hardwareQuantum Research NewsResearchers synchronize qubits using a new quantum memory trickQuantum HardwareResearchers Map Hydrogen Defects Limiting Diamond Qubit CoherenceQuantum Computing Business NewsQtonic Quantum maps out a 92-page guide to post-quantum securityStay currentSee today’s quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals. Tags: