Wonju-si Participates in Busan Smart City Expo, Showcasing AI-Specialized Pilot City

【Financial News Wonju = Reporter Kim Ki-seop】Wonju-si is presenting its blueprint for an AI-specialized pilot city on the country’s largest smart city stage.
According to Wonju-si on the 9th, the 2026 World Smart City Expo (WSCE) is being held at BEXCO in Busan from that day through the 11th. Wonju-si is operating an exhibition hall for its AI-specialized pilot city as part of its promotional efforts. The expo is the largest smart city exhibition in South Korea and is jointly hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), the Ministry of Science and ICT, and Busan. Last year, 450 companies from 54 countries participated, attracting more than 43,000 visitors.
At this year’s exhibition, Wonju-si is introducing the vision and technologies of its AI-specialized pilot city and presenting a blueprint for transforming the city through AI. The exhibition hall also features a private-sector consortium comprising STRAFFIC, Hyundai Motor, Seoul Robotics, Saltlux, NHN Cloud, Kangwon National University’s Wonju Campus, and the Wonju Future Industry Promotion Agency.
Wonju-si’s AI-specialized pilot city aims to create an integrated AI city in which AI comprehensively analyzes urban conditions and connects residents with the services they need at the right time, going beyond the introduction of individual AI technologies. To achieve this, data collected throughout the city will be integrated and analyzed at the AI City Intelligence Center, focusing on four specialized services—healthcare, disaster safety, mobility, and housing—and linked to services that residents can experience directly.
On the expo’s opening day, MOLIT, Wonju-si, Cheonan-si, and Asan-si held a launch ceremony for the AI-specialized pilot cities in front of the exhibition hall. Through the ceremony, Wonju-si announced the full-scale start of AI-based urban innovation.
At the K-AI City Policy Conference held the same day, Wonju-si presented its AI-specialized pilot city. The city introduced key services and implementation plans in AI-based transportation, safety, disaster response, and healthcare.
Through its participation in the expo, Wonju-si plans to highlight its competitiveness as an AI city and a leading future-industry city. It also aims to strengthen its future-industry foundation by expanding investment and attracting companies in the smart city, AI, and mobility sectors.

[email protected] Kim Ki-seop Reporter