SEOUL, June 11 (AJP) - Just a week after President Lee Jae-myung took office, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon is back in Seoul. His second visit in less than three weeks signals more than a passing interest -- OpenAI is clearly watching Korea’s AI ambitions with growing seriousness.
Kwon is expected to spend Jun. 12 meeting with South Korean corporate partners, continuing the momentum from his late-May visit, when he announced OpenAI’s formal entry into the Korean market. That trip marked the start of a deeper push into Asia-Pacific, with South Korea chosen as the first stop. Now, the return visit comes against the backdrop of a new government eager to lead in AI.
President Lee has made no secret of where he’s headed. His administration is pledging a massive 100 trillion won ($72.9 billion) to develop South Korea into one of the world’s top three AI powerhouses.
On Jun. 6, just two days after taking office, Lee reorganized the presidential office to include senior positions focused on AI and economic growth, signaling a policy shift that puts advanced technology at the core of his national strategy.
Kwon, for his part, was quick to offer congratulations. On Jun. 4, the day Lee was inaugurated, he posted a message on X (formerly Twitter), voicing strong support for the new administration’s AI vision. While Kwon won’t meet with government officials during this visit, because Lee’s AI policy chief has yet to be appointed, he is expected to sit down with a number of major South Korean firms.
"OpenAI views Korea as an important partner," an OpenAI official said, adding that the potential for collaboration with South Korean businesses is high.
That collaboration is already taking shape. In February, OpenAI signed a strategic partnership with South Korea’s web service giant Kakao to co-develop AI products, with the first results expected later this year.
It has also inked deals with major game publisher Krafton and mobile carrier SK Telecom and announced plans with the Korea Development Bank to support data center development and startup investment. The company recently began recruiting for six new roles in its Seoul office.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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