Seoul City Designates 'Yangjae AI Special Zone'... Accelerating the Creation of a Global AI Hub

Creation of a 400,000㎡ 'Future Convergence Innovation Zone'
Specialized Projects Including Seoul AI Hub and AI Graduate School
AI Talent Development and Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration System Established

The area around Yangjae-dong in Seocho-gu, Seoul has been designated as the first 'AI Special Zone' under the Regional Specialized Development Zone program. Going forward, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to develop the Yangjae area into a global AI (Artificial Intelligence) leading innovation hub and support related industries such as AI talent cultivation.

On the 1st, Seoul announced that on the 28th of last month, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Regional Specialized Development Zone Committee approved the designation of 400,000㎡ around Yangjae-dong Cultural and Arts Park as the 'Yangjae AI Future Convergence Innovation Special Zone.'

Location map of Yangjae AI Future Convergence Innovation Zone. Provided by Seoul City

The Regional Specialized Development Zone is an area designated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups under the 'Regulatory Sandbox and Regional Specialized Development Zones Act' where local governments can apply regulatory exemptions necessary for promoting specialized projects tailored to regional characteristics to achieve balanced regional development and revitalize the local economy. Seocho-gu had previously established a special zone plan and applied for designation to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the related review was conducted this time.

Currently, the Yangjae area hosts research centers of major corporations such as Samsung Electronics, Hyundai, LG, and KT, as well as over 300 affiliated research institutes of small and medium enterprises. It is considered an optimal location for fostering the AI industry, with institutions such as KAIST AI Graduate School, the National AI Research Hub, and the promotion of an ICT-specific development promotion district.

In particular, Seoul opened the core anchor facility of the 'Seoul AI Hub' in May, which serves as the control tower for AI industry support facilities and a specialized institution for nurturing AI technology startups by bringing together industry, academia, and research capabilities. Additionally, the 'National AI Research Hub,' which opened at the Seoul AI Hub in October, plays a central role in AI research by conducting joint research, academic conferences, and other activities with domestic universities and international research institutions, supporting technological innovation, corporate growth, and talent development in the AI field.

The newly designated 'Yangjae AI Special Zone' will receive exemptions from six regulations, including the Patent Act and Immigration Control Act, which hinder corporate growth. Fifteen specialized projects aimed at revitalizing the special zone, such as AI talent development, startup creation, and technological innovation support, will be implemented over five years.

Within the special zone, patent applications will be prioritized over others, reducing the time required for technology transfer and industrialization. Furthermore, visa issuance for outstanding foreign personnel engaged in specialized projects will be eased, and their stay period can be extended. In the future, Seoul plans to establish a cooperative system with Seocho-gu and KAIST AI Graduate School to promote specialized projects such as talent development, creation of AI startup funds and loan support, joint research, and urban infrastructure development to revitalize the special zone.

Along with the special zone designation, efforts will be concentrated on ▲ creating an AI cluster and advanced industrial technology ecosystem ▲ cultivating and attracting global-level AI talent ▲ promoting domestic and international industry-academia-research cooperation. Besides the 'Seoul AI Hub,' which opened in May with a total floor area of 10,000㎡, the AI Seoul Tech City will be developed by 2030, and an additional 50,000㎡ of public contribution space near The-K Hotel will be secured.

AI talent cultivation will also be intensified. Through convergence education in advanced technologies such as AI and bio, as well as software developer training, over 5,000 AI talents have been nurtured so far, with plans to cultivate more than 10,000 talents by 2030. Furthermore, cooperation with global big tech companies such as Naver, Google, Microsoft, and international research institutions like Mila in Canada and Cyber Valley in Germany will continue to expand.

Lee Hae-woo, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Economic Office, stated, "The designation of the Yangjae AI Special Zone lays the foundation for creating a world-class AI-based advanced industrial ecosystem centered around the Yangjae area, attracting capital, global talent, and companies. We will make every effort to ensure that Seoul and Yangjae become the focal point for advancing South Korea's AI competitiveness."