Smart Cities

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Sejong and Busan will be home to smart cities, run by assorted cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data. Residents are expected to move into those cities starting in 2021.

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The government announced its finalized plan to build smart cities in Sejong and Busan. The project aims to make people's lives more convenient by applying cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and block chain, to urban planning and development.

[Soundbite] Pres. Moon Jae-in : "Korea is the world's first country to build government-led test smart cities. The government's aim and commitment are clear to make the cities of Busan and Sejong the most advanced smart cities in the world."

In Sejong smart city, private ownership of cars will be restricted, while the sharing of vehicles such as compact electric cars or Segway and use of self-driving shuttle buses will be encouraged. Individual hospitals will be connected by a network to collect personal medical data and provide customized services. In Busan's Eco Delta City, measuring nearly 2.2 million square meters, robots will be made instrumental in various areas to help out with resident's everyday lives. Robots will be operated as parking assistants in public parking lots and deployed in logistics and transport facilities as well as rehab centers. The smart city will put in place a cutting-edge water management system that oversees the entire water supply process and a water thermal energy system that uses river water. The government plans to ease regulations to build smart cities and invest 2.4 trillion won for three years, starting next year. Residents will be allowed to move into those cities from late 2021.