Oh Sehoon Unveils Physical AI Blueprint Before 2,000 Seoul Citizens

Large-Scale AI Tech City to Be Built in Yangjae, Construction Begins in 2028
Suseo Specializes in Robotics... Physical AI Applied to Operations in Yongsan International Business District
"Yangjae and Suseo Will Incorporate Functions Desired by Young Elites"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is transforming itself to become a global leader in the field of Physical AI, also known as 'Acting Artificial Intelligence (AI)'. The vision is to attract top AI talent from around the world to conduct research, enable companies to freely carry out pilot projects, and ultimately support their expansion into overseas markets.

On the 30th, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon unveiled a blueprint for Seoul to emerge as a leading city in Physical AI at the 'AI Seoul 2026' conference.

Physical AI refers to AI that has evolved from 'intelligent AI' operating online to AI with physical properties that move and act in the real world. This includes humanoid robots and autonomous driving technologies. In particular, securing data through pilot projects within urban areas is essential for the competitiveness of the Physical AI industry.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon is attending the 'AI SEOUL 2026' conference held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, greeting the attendees. 2026.01.30 Photo by Dongjoo Yoon

Why Are Yangjae, Suseo, and Yongsan Mentioned as Physical AI Hubs?

On this day, Mayor Oh specifically mentioned Yangjae, Suseo, and Yongsan as regions that will lead the way in Physical AI, presenting a concrete vision. The advanced 'brain' will be based in Yangjae, while the 'body' capable of action will be in Suseo, connecting the two areas as the 'Seoul Physical AI Belt.' Yongsan will serve as the 'stage' for pilot projects.

Yangjae, which already houses over 430 startups and AI research facilities, will be developed into a large-scale AI Tech City. The scale is expected to be ten times larger than the existing Yangjae AI Hub. The plan is to actively utilize available sites such as the Seoul Agro-Fisheries & Food Corporation and the Gangnam Data Center, with construction set to begin in 2028.

Suseo was chosen due to the 'Pangyo to Seoul U-turn phenomenon.' Mayor Oh stated, "There has recently been a trend of people who moved to Pangyo returning to Seoul." The city plans to establish a robotics cluster in Suseo and nurture it as a center for the Physical AI-based robotics industry by 2030.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is attending the 'AI SEOUL 2026' conference held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 30th, presenting the vision for leading Physical AI. 2026.01.30 Photo by Dongju Yoon

Mayor Oh also emphasized the importance of 'Work-Life-Play Integration.' He explained the need for workplaces, residential spaces, and recreational areas to be harmoniously integrated. He compared the limitations of the Guro and Gasan Digital Complexes with the success story of Seongsu-dong. Mayor Oh said, "In the case of the Guro and Gasan Digital Complexes, office workers want to leave as soon as the workday ends," adding, "That’s because there’s nothing but workspaces." In contrast, Seongsu, which has more than 20 knowledge industry centers, various cafes, restaurants, and entertainment spaces, was presented as a positive example.

Mayor Oh stated, "Yangjae AI City and Suseo Robot Complex will be designed as platforms for convergence research, incorporating all the functions young elites desire."

AI Experts Point Out 'Regulation' Issues, Oh Sehoon Says, "I Feel Like a Sinner at Times Like This"... Why?

At the conference, which was attended by over 2,000 people, leading domestic and international AI scholars delivered lectures. Yoshua Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal and a pioneer in deep learning, warned that AI technology "can pose significant risks to human dignity, democracy, geopolitical stability, and even the future of humanity." He stressed that, from a policy perspective, safeguards must be established through laws and international treaties, and scientifically, safe and reliable AI models must be developed.

Professor Cho Kyujin of Seoul National University stated that social acceptance is essential for building a Physical AI ecosystem. Professor Cho, who was elected president of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, the world's largest robotics society, and began his term this year, said, "I hope people will not fear robot technology," adding, "It's not the robots that should be admired, but the people who use them."

In a panel discussion, Professor Cho addressed questions about on-site challenges, saying, "Even if regulations are removed, they reappear." He pointed out, "When regulation managers fail to enforce regulations properly and accidents occur, the damage is enormous, while the benefits when things go well are minimal. So who would easily grant approvals?" He argued that "the fundamental paradigm itself must be changed."

Virtual image of the Yangjae-Suseo Physical AI Belt. Provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government

Upon hearing this, Mayor Oh confessed, "Whenever I hear calls for 'regulatory innovation' or to 'change the paradigm,' I feel like a sinner." He added, "It is indeed true that administrative and political barriers have hindered our cutting-edge science and technology from leading the world. As a fast mover, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has strived to drive innovation and break down barriers in administration."

Establishing a 'Demonstration Center' at SETEC in Gangnam... Providing One-Stop Support for Market Entry

As part of efforts to alleviate regulations, Mayor Oh announced plans to provide demonstration test spaces where AI companies can develop their ideas. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will arrange testbed spaces, such as Hangang Park and roads, where demonstrations are possible, and is considering designing a system that proactively solves problems. The goal is to establish a testbed demonstration center within this year, which is expected to be located at SETEC in Gangnam-gu.

Image of Yongsan International Business District. Provided by Seoul City

If a company requests to use the center, a 'comprehensive negative system' will be implemented in principle, allowing everything by default and providing a one-stop service to guide companies on where demonstrations can be conducted. Mayor Oh also announced plans to offer a one-stop service that supports overseas demonstrations and market entry if the demonstration results are deemed commercially valuable. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will invest 100 billion won in this initiative by 2030.

In particular, Physical AI technologies will be applied throughout the Yongsan International Business District to establish a standard model for intelligent cities. Infrastructure will be built to collect urban data in real time, and digital twins will be used to address issues such as traffic, energy, and disasters.

Mayor Oh said, "Ultimately, technology must be oriented toward people. The 'Physical AI Leading City' that Seoul envisions is a city that creates the warmest changes with the coldest technology," urging, "Join us on the journey to make Seoul the center and standard of Physical AI worldwide."