Hanam City Welcomes AI Security Leader "Igloo Corporation"

Hanam City Signs MOU for Igloo Corporation Headquarters Relocation
First Mid-Sized Company Moves into Wirye, Kickstarting AI-Specialized City Vision
Mayor Lee Hyunjae Attracts 300-Employee AI Security Firm to Hanam

On March 12, Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Igloo Corporation for the relocation of its headquarters, formalizing a foundation for cooperation to establish the city as an AI-specialized hub.

Lee Hyun-jae, mayor of Hanam, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the relocation of the headquarters with Igloo Corporation on the 12th. Provided by Hanam City

This agreement is expected to serve as a significant turning point in enhancing the value of the region, as it marks the first case of a mid-sized corporate headquarters moving into Wirye New Town, an area that has so far lacked sufficient corporate infrastructure.

Igloo Corporation is a leading player in Korea's information security market, recognized alongside AhnLab as one of the “top five security solution companies” in the country. The company has been responsible for cyber security across a variety of sectors, including public institutions, financial institutions, and major corporations, and has developed technologies that safeguard digital safety in everyday life and society.

In particular, Igloo Corporation holds core technologies that are driving the organization-wide adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)—a trend known as AI transformation (AX)—and concretizing AI technology across the security industry. Based on this, the company offers solutions and services optimized for building Autonomous Security Operation Centers (Autonomous SOC), accelerating innovation in business environments and work practices for enterprises. Upon completion of the headquarters and research center relocation in 2029, more than 300 professionals will be stationed in Hanam City.

Hanam City plans to completely overhaul its administrative support paradigm to ensure that such outstanding companies can settle stably even in new environments. At the core of this effort is the city’s unprecedented “Corporate Manager” initiative—the first of its kind among local governments—which is a bold system that oversees the entire process from attracting companies to ensuring their successful establishment. The city will significantly enhance the existing Project Manager (PM) system by assigning dedicated staff for transportation, construction, and other areas, and aims to resolve all administrative processes companies may face through a one-stop service, drastically reducing unnecessary regulations and time.

This close-knit support is expected to provide a strong foundation for Hanam City’s envisioned large-scale AI ecosystem. The relocation is also linked to the city’s 3 trillion won Gyosan AI Innovation Cluster project, which is anticipated to further accelerate the formation of an AI industry ecosystem and the concentration of cutting-edge companies in the area.

The city’s aggressive efforts to attract businesses are already being substantiated by concrete figures. Over the past four years, Hanam City has attracted a total of 13 promising companies, including Igloo Corporation, and surpassed a cumulative investment milestone of 1 trillion won. As a result, the creation of approximately 2,500 jobs has become visible, and as leading companies in the AI tech sector gather, a vibrant job market focused on highly skilled technical talent—especially favored by young people—is rapidly opening up.

Lee Deukchun, CEO of Igloo Corporation, who attended the signing ceremony, stated, “As we mark our 27th anniversary, relocating our headquarters was a deeply considered decision, but after hearing Mayor Lee Hyunjae’s presentation on the city’s vision, I became convinced that Hanam is the best choice.”

Hanam City held a commemorative photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Igloo Corporation on the 12th for the relocation of its headquarters. Provided by Hanam City

He added, “Hanam Wirye New Town boasts a prime location that is virtually equivalent to Seoul. For our company, which aims for overseas exports, location is a crucial factor, and I believe our growth in Hanam will serve as a catalyst for other IT companies to follow suit.”

Mayor Lee Hyunjae commented, “Creating an environment where companies can grow stably is key to improving citizens’ quality of life and enhancing the city’s competitiveness. I hope the relocation of Igloo Corporation’s headquarters will become an important milestone in strengthening Hanam’s advanced industrial ecosystem.”

He continued, “Through the Corporate Manager system, we will proactively address challenges in the field and, by linking with the Gyosan AI Cluster, do our utmost to provide administrative support to make Hanam a leading city in Korea’s AI industry.”

The city plans to further strengthen its field-oriented support system, aiming to realize a sustainable economic city where advanced industries and high-quality jobs create a virtuous cycle.

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