SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon presented his vision for a smart city at the opening ceremony of the Smart Life Week (SLW) exhibition, which kicked off on October 10 at COEX in Gangnam District.
The inaugural Smart Life Week, running through October 12, brings together 500 participants, including mayors and corporate representatives from 115 cities across 72 countries.
The event’s slogan, “Human-Centered Technology, Connecting to a Better Life,” underscores its focus on improving urban living through innovation.
In his keynote address, Oh highlighted Seoul’s smart technology initiatives, including companion robots, Seoul Learn (an educational platform), Wrist Doctor 9988 (a health monitoring system), and autonomous buses.
“Seoul is undoubtedly a smart city where cutting-edge digital technologies are dynamically at work,” Oh stated.
The mayor emphasized the importance of inclusivity in technological advancements. “No one should be left behind due to technology,” he said.
“We are utilizing technology from the citizens’ perspective to ensure that socially vulnerable groups can comfortably enjoy a smart life.”
Oh expressed his hope that the annual Smart Life Week in Seoul would evolve into a significant event leading global digital and AI transformation while fostering diverse collaborations.
“Seoul aims to become an innovation platform for smart cities worldwide,” he added.
Following the opening ceremony, Oh toured the showroom and corporate exhibition hall, where over 150 innovative domestic and international companies showcased their technologies, providing insight into global tech trends.
The afternoon saw the commencement of the Mayors Forum, where city leaders from around the world shared their smart city visions, experiences, and policy cases. The forum, attended by mayoral delegations from 33 cities, focused on the theme “Creating the Future Smart City Together.”
In his welcoming remarks at the forum, Oh stressed the crucial role of urban governments in realizing smart city success. “The future of smart cities we will discuss today means more than just adopting technology,” he said.
“When cities maintain their uniqueness while sharing experiences and resources, collaborating at the urban level, we can create greater change and a better tomorrow.”
Image credit: Seoul City, Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
