Mayor Gyeongil Kim: "Citizen-Centered Paju with AI, Advancing Toward a Self-Sustaining City of One Million"

Paju City Signs AI Innovation Agreement with LG AI Research Institute and LG Uplus
Pledges Cooperation for AI-driven Administrative Innovation, Enhanced Infrastructure Accessibility, and Creation of an AI Industry Ecosystem
Mayor Kim: "Administration will become smarter, businesses stronger, and citizens' lives more convenient"

Paju City, Gyeonggi Province, announced on September 16 that it had signed an "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" with LG AI Research Institute and LG Uplus at the city hall reception room on September 15.

Kim Kyungil, mayor of Paju City (center), signed an "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)" with LG AI Research Institute and LG Uplus on the 15th at the city hall reception room. Provided by Paju City

The city expressed its expectation that this agreement will serve as a solid foundation for Paju to become a leading city in artificial intelligence (AI), seeing it not merely as a technical partnership but as the starting point for innovation that will transform administration, industry, and all aspects of citizens' daily lives.

Paju City, LG AI Research Institute, and LG Uplus pledged to cooperate in four key areas through this agreement: AI-driven administrative innovation in Paju, enhanced accessibility to AI-based infrastructure, the creation of an AI industry ecosystem, and expanded citizen participation.

First, for "AI-driven administrative innovation," LG AI Research Institute plans to introduce its domestically developed large language model, EXAONE, into civil affairs and administrative services. This aims to improve work efficiency for public officials and provide citizens with faster and more accurate services. For example, AI will automatically classify and organize documents submitted by residents, assist in drafting administrative documents, and provide rapid access to various administrative information.

A representative from LG AI Research Institute stated, "We hope that this agreement will serve as a stepping stone for the EXAONE model to be adopted nationwide across Korea."

Second, the agreement includes cooperation to "enhance accessibility to AI-based infrastructure." LG Uplus has committed to actively supporting Paju City's use of resources and related services from the LG Uplus AI Data Center, scheduled for completion in 2027, as well as advanced GPU-based integrated and shared cloud services. The city expects that, once this mutual cooperation is realized, not only administrative agencies but also local businesses and researchers will have easier access to AI technologies.

A representative from LG Uplus commented, "The largest and most advanced data center in the country is being built in Paju. We will actively cooperate to contribute to Paju's development."

Third, the parties pledged active cooperation in "creating an AI industry ecosystem." Paju City plans to integrate AI into small and medium-sized manufacturing companies to boost productivity, promote the adoption and spread of smart factories, and provide local businesses with opportunities to enhance product competitiveness and enter new markets using AI technologies. The city expects that mutual cooperation with LG through this agreement will be a significant driving force for these initiatives.

Kim Kyungil, mayor of Paju City, and others are taking a commemorative photo after signing the 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)' with LG AI Research Institute and LG Uplus at the city hall reception room on the 15th. Provided by Paju City

Lastly, the agreement includes cooperation to expand citizen participation. Paju City will organize various programs, such as AI competitions, to provide opportunities for citizens to directly experience and participate in AI. The aim is to ensure that not only experts and businesses, but also students and everyday citizens, can experience AI in their daily lives.

The city emphasized that this agreement goes beyond simply adopting technology, marking a process in which Paju will redesign its future as a city through artificial intelligence (AI).

Gyeongil Kim, Mayor of Paju City, stated, "This agreement is an important starting point for Paju to align with the government’s vision of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powerhouses. With AI, we will build a citizen-centered Paju and achieve our goal of becoming a self-sustaining city of one million residents."