Charlton Aria Acquisition Corp. Announces Merger with KQC Quantum to Form Quantum Security Leader

Charlton Aria Acquisition Corporation (CHAR), a special purpose acquisition company listed on Nasdaq, announced the execution of a definitive business combination agreement with KQC Quantum, Inc. (KQC Parent) and its subsidiary Korea Quantum Computing Co., Ltd. (KQC). The agreement, signed on October 6, 2026, outlines a transaction to combine the entities, with the goal of creating a global quantum security and computing leader.

Under the proposed structure, KQC MS Limited, a Cayman Islands subsidiary of KQC Parent, will merge with and into Charlton Aria, with Charlton Aria surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of KQC Parent. The transaction is targeted to close in the first half of calendar year 2027, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Charlton Aria’s management team includes Chief Executive Officer Jung Min Lee and Chief Financial Officer Paul Strickland. The company reported an approximate cash-in-trust balance of $93.5 million as of September 25, 2026, before redemptions, including at the extension meeting. The presentation accompanying the filing notes that this figure assumes no redemptions and includes Charlton Aria’s public shareholders, founder shares, and shares issued on the conversion of rights.

KQC Quantum, Inc. and its subsidiary Korea Quantum Computing Co., Ltd. focus on building quantum computing and security products for customers' systems. The companies state their products are tested in finance, industry, and the public sector. The leadership team of KQC includes Executive Chairman Ji Hoon Kweon, Chief Executive Officer Joon Young Kim, and Chief Technology Officer Stephen Oh.

Charlton Aria intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This filing will include a proxy statement for Charlton Aria and a prospectus for KQC Parent. Once declared effective, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to Charlton Aria’s shareholders. The transaction is contingent upon the approval of Charlton Aria’s shareholders and the satisfaction of various conditions, including the minimum net cash condition and the listing of the combined company’s securities on Nasdaq.