Osan City Pursues ‘Global AI Hub’ in Segyo 3 New City…Aiming to Become a Korean-Style Silicon Valley

Osan City to Attract AI Hub to Segyo 3 New City
Plans for AI and Semiconductor Companies, Six UN Organizations
at Segyo 3, Unamteul AI City, and Terminal Site Projects
City Brand Value Expected to Rise
Mayor Lee Gwonjae: “Aiming to Create a Future City Where Work, Residence, and Leisure Coexist”

On April 15, Osan City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Gwonjae) announced its vision to transform Osan into a Korean-style Silicon Valley where work, residence, and leisure coexist, by attracting an Artificial Intelligence Hub (AI HUB) to the Segyo 3 New City.

Osan City, Gajang Industrial Complex in the area planned for Segyo 3 District. Provided by Osan City

The city has effectively declared its intention to participate in the government-led “Global AI Hub Korea Bid,” and expressed its commitment to making Osan a world-class city for industry and research.

According to the city, the global AI Hub would serve as a central base connecting AI technology, policy, and industry, and act as a control tower that determines leadership in future industries.

Mayor Lee Gwonjae stated, “Osan is entering its second phase of growth, and now has the opportunity to become a Korean-style Silicon Valley where industry, research, and healing come together. As Osan is the central city of the southern Seoul metropolitan semiconductor cluster, we believe it is the optimal location for attracting the AI Hub from every geopolitical perspective. I will pursue bipartisan collaboration with the government, the National Assembly, and other stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation.”

Currently, the city is working to attract AI-related advanced industry research centers (R&D) to several projects, including the Segyo 3 New City Project, the Unamteul AI City Urban Development Project, and the Segyo 1 Terminal Site Complex Development Project.

The government, led by the President, has launched the bid to bring the global AI Hub to Korea. Local lawmakers are also showing interest, and the city believes that the concentration of related industries and the presence of outstanding talent in this geopolitically advantageous area make the bid highly feasible.

In fact, last March, six UN organizations—the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Health Organization (WHO), and World Food Programme (WFP)—expressed their intent to participate in the Korean government’s AI Hub initiative and signed a Letter of Intent for collaboration.

These six UN organizations are conducting research based on artificial intelligence in various fields: AI technology collaboration in developing countries (UNDP), job reduction and job transitions (ILO), population movement, climate change, and refugee migration (IOM), minimizing defects in semiconductor production and inspection processes (ITU), fostering industries related to medical hardware (WHO), and addressing food shortages, crop analysis, and food distribution (WFP).

A city official explained, “Establishing an AI Hub by bringing these six organizations to Korea has become a national agenda, and since other local governments in Korea have also expressed their intention to compete, we decided to move quickly and join the race.”

The official added, “If not only companies specializing in semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment, but also researchers focusing on the use of artificial intelligence in food, population movement, medical technology, and the ethical issues that accompany these technologies, flock to Osan, it will undoubtedly greatly enhance the city’s brand value.”

The city is also considering ways to collaborate with local partners of Samsung, LG, and SK hynix, as well as with global leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers and advanced materials developers located in Osan.

Mayor Lee Gwonjae emphasized, “As Osan enters its second phase of growth, we will align our city policies to ensure Osan becomes a leading AI City in the Seoul metropolitan area, and ultimately throughout Korea, in response to the paradigm shift in urban planning.” [End]

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