[Article Content] Maeil Business Newspaper (2024.3.6.) - A New Concept: Smart Life Week

South Korea established its high-speed internet network in 1998, and in 2001, the government began digitizing administrative tasks to implement e-government. This e-government aimed to provide efficient and effective public services based on information and communication technology, representing a futuristic form of governance. In 2008, the U-City Act was enacted to integrate information technology (IT) with urban infrastructure, allowing for easy access to essential city information anytime, anywhere.

In 2017, this law was amended to become the Smart City Act, shifting the focus from public-led initiatives to policies encouraging private sector participation. Efforts have been made to develop various services, including infrastructure, tourism, healthcare, and welfare. In short, a "Smart City" is a "digital platform" where digital systems such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing are integrated to provide citizens with accurate and timely information and safer services.

Today, Smart Cities are the ideal urban model that cities worldwide aspire to. Each country has agencies dedicated to implementing Smart Cities, and various exhibitions and conferences are held to support this goal. One of the most prestigious Smart City exhibitions globally is the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), held every November in Barcelona, Spain. In 2022, Seoul received the top award (City Strategy) at this event.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced earlier this year at CES in Las Vegas that the city would host "Smart Life Week (SLW) 2024" from October 10-12 at COEX. The event will include various programs such as exhibitions, conferences, and awards, but it will differentiate itself from existing Smart City events.

The world’s top three ICT exhibitions—CES in the U.S. (January), MWC in Spain (February), and IFA in Germany (September)—focus primarily on B2B and B2C interactions. However, Seoul's SLW in October will not be commercial in nature. Instead, it will provide a space where citizens can experience cutting-edge digital technologies in everyday settings, such as daycares, schools, hospitals, senior centers, parks, and transportation facilities. Visitors will also be able to experience Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in future cities.

Unlike CES, SLW in Seoul will not be a stage for unveiling new technologies. Its unique aspect lies in showcasing technology that accompanies the underprivileged and offering life-cycle technologies that can be experienced by all generations.

The first Global Smart City Forum (GSCF) was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 12-13. During the opening keynote on the first day, attended by over 500 people, including the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Mayor of Riyadh, I presented Seoul’s AI application services, inclusive policies, and SLW.

SLW, organized by Seoul for the first time, will be a distinctive and innovative "Smart Life" space, differentiating itself from CES and SCEWC. During my recent trip, the response to SLW was very positive when I introduced it in Riyadh, Dubai, London, and Paris.

It will take time for the new concept of SLW to be recognized alongside events like CES, MWC, and IFA. Seoul, as a global leader in Smart Cities, is taking on the role of a first mover by leading the way in Smart Life. Global Smart City leaders, digital innovation leaders, large corporations, and startups will participate in SLW in October. SLW will be a new starting point for a happier life that humanity should pursue in a future-oriented direction.

Kang Yo-sik
President of Seoul Digital Foundation

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