Suwon Takes a Leap as a Leading AI City in South Korea

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City announced its leap as a 'leading AI city' by being selected consecutively for core AI projects from central government agencies.

The city said on the 24th that it was selected for seven major AI and smart city-related public projects overseen by central government agencies including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Science and ICT, securing a total of 84.6 billion won in project funds.

Out of the total 84.6 billion won in project funds, the city attracted 61.3 billion won in national funds, 100 million won in provincial funds, and 6 billion won in other external sources, while minimizing the city's own budget contribution of 17.2 billion won. By sourcing 80% of the total project funds from external sources, it has been evaluated as presenting a new innovative model for securing local government budgets amid fiscal crisis in local governments.

AI ecosystem development projects spanning talent development, urban infrastructure, and citizen safety

The public projects selected by the city encompass projects necessary for AI ecosystem development including talent development, urban infrastructure, and citizen safety.

First, in the 'talent development' field directly connected to the industrial ecosystem, the city was consecutively selected for △AI-centered university projects △advanced industry talent development bootcamp △defense AI talent development projects under the auspices of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Science and ICT.

It has established a 'virtuous cycle structure of government-industry-academia collaboration' where local governments, regional universities, and companies work closely to cultivate practical AI talent, and these individuals settle in the region.

In the 'urban infrastructure' field, the city was selected for the '2026 Hub-type Smart City Development Project,' a large-scale national strategic project of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. Large-scale data-driven administrative innovation linking Suwon's old downtown and new city areas is set to take place.

'Close-range AI service' projects that citizens can experience in their daily lives will also begin in full.

△Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport drone delivery service (470 million won investment, establishing 8 delivery locations including Gwanggyo Lake Park) △2026 smart village distribution project 'AI-based intelligent pothole detection platform' (900 million won investment) △'on-device AI-integrated fire detection demonstration project' targeting industrial sites including Delta Flex △'quadruped walking AI robot demonstration project' for crime prevention and nighttime patrols, etc., with closely-knit advanced safety networks built throughout the city.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun demonstrates strong policy implementation and visible results

The backdrop for the city achieving visible results in the AI field in a short time is Mayor Lee Jae-jun's strong AI policy implementation power.

The mayor determined that the complex urban issues facing a major city of 1.2 million people are difficult to solve with existing administration alone, and last October established the 'AI Smart Policy Bureau,' a dedicated organization that is the nation's first among basic local governments.

Prior to its launch, he held 'AI-ROUND debate sessions' with industry, academia, and research experts to establish a meticulous master plan, and laid administrative and institutional foundations by enacting five AI-related ordinances including the 'Suwon Public AI Service Registration and Management Ordinance.'

The AI Smart Policy Bureau became the control tower for Suwon's AI policy, eliminating silos between departments and strategically responding to central government public projects, achieving results of 'selection for 7 public projects and securing 80% of external funds' in a short period.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "The selection for seven public projects is just the beginning," and added "Suwon will prove that local governments can lead the nation's AI industry ecosystem."

He further stated, "Based on the secured national and provincial funds, we will attract cutting-edge companies, cultivate top-level practical AI talent, and complete a true AI innovation city that dramatically transforms citizens' daily lives and safety."