Seoul City to Invest 370.3 Billion KRW in Informatization Projects This Year

Digital New Concept Public Service in Full Swing

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Seoul City announced on the 25th that it will invest a total of 370.3 billion KRW in 1,431 informatization projects this year. This represents a 7% increase compared to last year (345.9 billion KRW).

In the era of digital everyday life, various new technologies such as metaverse, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data will be integrated into overall administration to enhance citizen convenience and safety, while expanding support projects for digital vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled. Additionally, intelligent CCTV advancement projects, including the installation of intelligent CCTV in areas densely populated by single-person households and places expected to have large crowds, as well as the replacement of outdated CCTVs, will be continuously promoted prioritizing safety blind spots.

Administrative services applying various digital new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data will receive 127 billion KRW across 274 projects, accounting for 34% of all informatization projects.

The scale by institution is ▲Seoul City 215.1 billion KRW (422 projects) ▲25 autonomous districts 111.3 billion KRW (857 projects) ▲investment and affiliated institutions 43.9 billion KRW (152 projects), and by project type ▲system construction 55 billion KRW (95 projects) ▲HW and SW introduction 84 billion KRW (193 projects) ▲S/W development 23.6 billion KRW (84 projects), etc.

Project ordering schedule is ▲Q1 637 projects (45%) ▲Q2 160 projects (11%) ▲After Q3 45 projects (3%). Applying the employment inducement coefficient of the Bank of Korea, it is analyzed that 3,740 youth jobs will be created, and it is expected to play a driving role in the growth of small and medium-sized information and communication technology (ICT) companies.

The main contents of informatization projects promoted this year are ▲Full-scale launch of new digital concept administrative services using metaverse and digital twin (virtual model) technologies ▲Expansion of digital safety net based on intelligent CCTV ▲Provision of advanced digital administrative services by converging and applying new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence ▲Expansion of digital inclusion projects for digital vulnerable groups.

First, Seoul City will invest 2.8 billion KRW in the second phase of the ‘Metaverse Seoul’ project, which expands citizen experience services such as citizen safety experience centers, real estate contracts, and DDP metaverse. Metaverse services individually built by the city and autonomous districts will be integrated into the Metaverse Seoul platform.

Second, 9.2 billion KRW will be invested in continuously promoting the CCTV advancement project in cooperation with Seoul City and autonomous districts by installing intelligent CCTVs in safety-vulnerable areas throughout Seoul and improving image quality by replacing outdated CCTVs. Free Wi-Fi networks will also be expanded to enable easy and fast digital connectivity without data concerns.

Third, new technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain will be converged throughout city administration to provide a higher level of digital administrative services and improve work productivity through the creation of an internal smart work environment.

Fourth, digital inclusion policies for information-disadvantaged groups such as the elderly and disabled and digital vulnerable groups will be continuously expanded to support easy adaptation to a society where digital is everyday life.

Details and ordering schedules of Seoul City informatization projects can be found on the ‘2023 Seoul City Informatization Project Ordering Information Website.’

Jinman Kim, Seoul City Digital Policy Officer, said, “Seoul City has been leading the rapid digital transformation in the endemic era, enhancing the convenience and effectiveness of citizens’ lives,” adding, “We will continue to smartly utilize digital technology to firmly establish Seoul as an icon of digital innovation cities.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.