Seoul Institute and Seoul Technology Institute Merger 'Not Possible'... Seoul Technology Institute Employees 'Relieved'

Seoul Metropolitan Government Think Tanks Seoul Institute and Seoul Technology Research Institute Express Difficulty in Merger

Seoul City Hall (Source: Asia Economy)

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] It has been reported that the merger between the Seoul Institute, Seoul city's policy think tank, and the Seoul Institute of Technology is not an easy task.

Accordingly, there is a sense of relief among the employees of the Seoul Institute of Technology, who had been worried about their status in case of a merger as the latter institute.

The Seoul Institute of Technology is a research institute under Seoul city established by former Mayor Park Won-soon in December 2018. Together with the existing Seoul Institute, it has been serving as a "policy think tank for Seoul city."

In particular, the larger Seoul Institute conducts research projects on overall Seoul city administration, including urban planning, transportation, environment, and management, raising questions about the necessity of establishing the Seoul Institute of Technology.

Nevertheless, former Mayor Park pushed for its establishment, emphasizing the growing need for research in technical fields such as disaster management.

Since then, the Seoul Institute of Technology has produced projects like "Advanced IoT-based Heat Transport Pipe Maintenance Technology." The institute developed Korea's first IoT-based heat transport pipe maintenance technology, currently in the demonstration phase at the Seoul Energy Corporation site in Sanggye-dong. Additionally, the "Virtual GPS Signal Generation Technology using SDR" for use in underground tunnels is currently being pilot-operated in Namsan No.1 Tunnel.

Despite these achievements, discussions about merging the Seoul Institute and the Seoul Institute of Technology have taken place, mainly within the Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Recently, a city council member asked the Seoul City Chief of Policy Coordination, "Isn't it necessary to consider merging the Seoul Institute and the Seoul Institute of Technology?" The Chief of Policy Coordination responded that the need for review exists.

However, after internal review within Seoul city, it was concluded that "it is not yet the time to merge" the two research institutes.

A Seoul city official stated, "The Seoul Institute of Technology was controversial from the start as it was established more for applied research utilizing existing technologies rather than for developing new technologies. Since it has already been launched, there are many difficulties in merging it with the Seoul Institute."

Accordingly, employees of the Seoul Institute of Technology, who had been worried about "what would happen if a merger occurs," are somewhat relieved. A representative from the Seoul Institute of Technology said, "We feel relieved that Seoul city has decided not to merge with the Seoul Institute."

Meanwhile, the Seoul Institute has gained popularity by producing research outcomes such as the "2025 Seoul City Youth Policy Vision Strategy" and "Review of Government Support for Operational Losses to Ensure the Sustainability of the Free Subway Ride System."