Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon Names Yangjae, Suseo, and Yongsan as Core Physical AI Hubs

Mayor Oh Attends “AI Seoul 2026” Conference on January 30
Yongsan International Business District Designated as a Testbed Space
Level 4 Robotaxi to Launch in October, Enhancing Citizen Convenience

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will establish the “Seoul Physical AI Belt” by connecting the “Yangjae Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cluster” and the “Suseo Robot Cluster.” This initiative aims to link the two core hubs of the AI industry, opening up the entire city of Seoul as a permanent testbed for technology demonstration.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon attended the 'AI SEOUL 2026' conference held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 30th and announced the vision of 'Physical AI Leading City, Seoul.' 2026.01.30 Photo by Dongju Yoon

On the morning of January 30, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the “AI SEOUL 2026” conference at COEX and stated, “Seoul will become the ultimate stage where physical AI transforms citizens’ lives, building on our dynamic urban infrastructure.”

This event, which brought together domestic and international AI companies and research institutes, was organized to facilitate technology exchange and broaden the base of the AI sector through conferences, exhibitions, and various other programs.

To lead a major industrial transformation through physical AI, Mayor Oh announced that by 2030, the city will focus on three core strategies: establishing the Physical AI Belt; revitalizing the industrial ecosystem through testbeds and fund investments; and integrating physical AI into the daily lives of citizens.

First, the plan is to establish “Seoul AI Tech City” in Yangjae as a global cluster that attracts top talent and companies from around the world. The Yangjae AI Hub currently houses over 430 startups, an AI graduate school, and a national AI research center, all working to enhance technological competitiveness.

In Suseo, a robot cluster will be established, encompassing everything from robot research and development (R&D) to demonstration. Mayor Oh announced that the “Seoul Robot Tech Center” will be completed in Suseo by 2030, making it the heart of South Korea’s robotics industry.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is presenting the vision of 'Physical AI Leading City, Seoul' at the 'AI SEOUL 2026' conference held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on January 30, 2026. Photo by Dongju Yoon

Second, Mayor Oh emphasized that demonstration data and regulatory reform are essential for revitalizing the industrial ecosystem and ensuring that technology works in practice. To this end, the entire city of Seoul will become a physical AI testbed. Centered around the “Testbed Demonstration Center,” which will be established in the second half of this year, public facilities and parks across downtown Seoul will be transformed into open demonstration stages to stimulate the industrial ecosystem.

In particular, Mayor Oh designated the Yongsan International Business District as a testbed space, stating that a concrete future will be realized there. The key is to create a “standard model for intelligent cities” by applying physical AI technologies to urban management, safety, transportation, logistics, and energy.

By 2030, a total of 100 billion won will be invested to provide one-stop support, from on-site demonstrations to market development, establishing a support system that links field demonstrations directly to revenue and growth. For physical AI R&D, the city will invest 70 billion won by 2030 and operate a dedicated fund totaling 150 billion won.

Finally, the city will pursue changes to integrate physical AI into the daily lives of Seoul citizens. The “Early Morning Companion Autonomous Bus,” which helps workers commute in the early hours, will be expanded to a total of five vehicles by March. The service, currently operating on one route (Dobong-Yeongdeungpo, A160), will be expanded to four routes, including Geumcheon-Sejongno, Sanggye-Express Bus Terminal, and Eunpyeong-Yangjae. Including the Cheonggyecheon shuttle and village buses, Mayor Oh announced that a total of 18 autonomous buses will be operating throughout Seoul.

In October, Seoul will introduce the nation’s first “Level 4 Robotaxi” without a driver, providing AI-powered transportation services. In the welfare sector, the city promises to supply care robots that assist with rehabilitation and walking, as well as wearable robots that help lift heavy objects or support mobility, to welfare sites.

Mayor Oh stated, “Ultimately, technology must serve people, and the ‘Physical AI Leading City’ that Seoul envisions is a city where the coldest technology brings about the warmest change. Seoul is ready to embark on a great journey to become the global center and standard for physical AI.”

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