Anyang City Establishes AI Cluster with Seoul National University

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Yu Je-sung] Anyang City has joined hands with Seoul National University (President Yoo Hong-rim) to create an artificial intelligence (AI) research complex and promote the extension of Seoul Metro Line 9 as the city leaps forward as a hub for future innovation industries.

The city signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding for AI Convergence Innovation Cluster Development' on the 8th in the conference room on the 4th floor of Seoul National University's Administration Building.

The 'AI Convergence Innovation Cluster' refers to an innovation ecosystem in which AI technology is combined with various sectors such as semiconductors, biotechnology, software, robotics, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and in which companies, universities, research institutes, and startups are concentrated and cooperate in one region.

Through this agreement, Anyang City and Seoul National University will, on the basis of close public-academic cooperation, pursue △joint construction of AI research hubs △cultivation of AI experts through education and employment programs △promotion of industry-academia joint research projects △recruitment of global leader companies through Seoul National University connection.

The agreement also includes matters concerning land acquisition and development of basic infrastructure for research facility construction.

Notably, this project is being pursued in connection with the extension of Seoul Metro Line 9 to Anyang.

This agreement formalizes cooperation between local government and university for promoting the extension of Seoul Metro Line 9 to Anyang, and is expected to significantly strengthen the necessity and justification for its inclusion in the metropolitan transport implementation plan.

Anyang City and Seoul National University agree on the mutual assessment that the area around Bisan-dong, which will pass through Gwanak Mountain and connect directly to Seoul National University as part of the extended Line 9 route, is the optimal location, and are sharing recognition of the need for joint response to create research facilities.

If Line 9 is extended to Anyang, it will connect major universities and strategic hubs such as Sinchon, Yeouido, and Seoul National University within 10 to 30 minutes, significantly improving Anyang's accessibility. Based on this, the research and industrial competitiveness of the AI cluster is expected to be dramatically strengthened.

Additionally, an increase in inflow of research and development personnel and expansion of corporate investment are anticipated, and acceleration of high-value-added industrial ecosystem formation is expected.

The city is envisioning the extended Metro Line 9 route as a provisional name 'U-Tech Line' (abbreviation of U University-tech line) to reflect the meaning of connecting major Seoul universities. In connection with this, the city's advanced industry development strategy is the 'K37+ Belt,' which aims to link fourth industrial revolution companies among southern metropolitan area cities centered on Anyang City, making it a core hub for future-leading industries and cultural industries.

In addition, 'K' represents a city representing Korea beyond Anyang, '37' signifies the latitude of Anyang and Silicon Valley in the United States, and the vision includes the construction of a future-leading industry belt connecting Pangyo to the east and Songdo to the west.

The '+' embodies the meaning of constructing a 'culture and research and development (R&D) belt' connecting Seoul National University, Anyang City Hall, Anyang Correctional Institution, and Morak Mountain along the north-south axis centered on Anyang City.

The goal is to complete the cluster and emerge as a physical AI-leading city.

A city official said, "The key to urban competitiveness is the combination of excellent talent and cutting-edge technology," adding, "We will foster an Anyang-style innovation ecosystem by creating an industrial and research environment where talented individuals can challenge themselves and grow."

A Seoul National University official stated, "We expect that when Seoul National University's excellent research talent and infrastructure combine with Anyang City's administrative and locational strengths, it will emerge as a global AI convergence hub."