Third Branch in Asia, Korea Chosen as the "Next-Generation AI Hub"
VC Networking Events and Latest Technology Showcases Planned in Korea
On September 10, OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, officially announced the launch of its Korean branch, OpenAI Korea, declaring its intention to make Korea a core partner in the global artificial intelligence (AI) transformation. The company stated that it will strengthen comprehensive cooperation with industry, academia, government, and startups in Korea. OpenAI Korea is the third branch in Asia and the twelfth worldwide.
At an official press conference held at Pie Factory Studio in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, OpenAI identified Korea as a "next-generation global AI hub." The company explained that Korea is the ideal location due to its world-class innovation-driven companies, advanced infrastructure, tech-savvy consumers, and a "full-stack ecosystem." OpenAI highlighted that the number of weekly ChatGPT users in Korea has quadrupled over the past year, and the number of paid subscribers has more than tripled year-on-year, making Korea the largest market in the Asia-Pacific region.
OpenAI has already formed a strategic partnership with Kakao among domestic companies and is preparing to integrate with the Kakao ecosystem. Leading Korean companies in various industries-including construction, electronics, telecommunications, finance, and gaming-are adopting the latest AI technologies such as GPT-5 to enhance their competitiveness.
On September 11, OpenAI will sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seoul National University to initiate academic cooperation. Additionally, through the "OpenAI for Countries" initiative, the company plans to further strengthen collaboration with the government. On September 12, OpenAI will host a networking event called "Founders Day" for startups, developers, and venture capitalists, and in November, it will hold "DevDay Exchange" in Korea to share the latest technologies.
OpenAI is also pursuing co-growth with the creator community, not just startups. Recently, 21 Korean creators participated in "Creative Lab Seoul," a workshop utilizing OpenAI's video and image tools. At the DDP Seoul Light event, media art created with the video generation model Sora was unveiled.
Jason Kwon, OpenAI's Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), stated, "Korea is the optimal location for AI innovation," adding, "OpenAI will be a partner accelerating Korea's AI transformation through advanced technology and diverse collaborations."
To commemorate the launch, OpenAI will host a celebratory event on the evening of September 11, inviting key figures from business, government, academia, and the arts. The event will be attended by Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap, Global Head of Business Oliver Jay, and OpenAI Labs CEO Joanne Jang, among others.
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