Lt. Governor Aruna Miller Signs Maryland-Korea Agreement to Advance Quantum Innovation

The agreement was signed by Maryland Lt. Governor Miller and Vice Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Geum-hee Yang at the 2026 Quantum World Congress (QWC). Held at the University of Maryland, College Park – the epicenter of the state’s Capital of Quantum initiative – QWC brings together global quantum leaders in an effort to collaborate on shared advancement in quantum science and technology.

“Today’s MOU with Gyeongsangbuk-do will not only strengthen our bilateral collaboration, but it will also create new opportunities for innovation in both Maryland and the Republic of Korea,” said Lt. Governor Miller. “College Park is home to Maryland’s quantum ecosystem, and there is no better venue to sign this agreement than at QWC 2026, where leaders from around the world are coming together to advance the future of quantum.”

“This agreement will serve as a catalyst to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology by connecting Maryland’s quantum research capabilities with Gyeongbuk’s manufacturing foundation,” said Vice Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do Geum-hee Yang. “We will support this collaboration so that it expands to universities, research institutions, and supply chain companies in both regions, and ultimately translates into business opportunities for local companies and jobs for young people.”

This collaboration establishes a framework for the joint development of research; exchange of students and professionals; and sharing and exploration of emerging technologies, while promoting strategic cooperation in quantum computing, research, innovation, and economic development between the two regions. The agreement will also connect Maryland’s quantum technology ecosystem with the manufacturing and semiconductor capabilities of Gyeongsangbuk-do, particularly in the City of Gumi.

Maryland’s relationship with the Republic of Korea dates back many years. Most recently, the Moore-Miller Administration completed a trade mission in 2025, directly contributing to significant investment from Korean companies like Samsung Biologics and Nature Cell, which both announced new facilities in Maryland, supporting hundreds of jobs.

“Maryland’s longstanding partnership with the Republic of Korea has fostered meaningful and productive collaboration in areas such as biotechnology and aerospace,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “We are proud to build on that strong foundation by formally extending our partnership into quantum technology. By combining our shared expertise, resources, and commitment to innovation, we can create new opportunities for economic growth and technological advancement in both regions.”

Maryland’s Capital of Quantum is a public-private initiative that anchors one of the most defense-connected, research-rich quantum corridors in the world. With the University of Maryland’s leading quantum programs, National Quantum Lab (QLab), and Quantum Startup Foundry, the ecosystem connects federal laboratories, national security agencies, research institutions, investors, and industry partners across the region. Since launching the initiative in 2025, Maryland has secured more than $500 million in quantum investments.