The competition in the AI era is no longer determined by the number of factories. While semiconductors and data centers are important, ultimately, it is content that captures people's attention and drives the market. The era has begun where ChatGPT writes text, AI creates videos, and virtual humans host broadcasts.
In this changing landscape, Goyang holds a unique position. The city boasts both KINTEX and the Broadcasting and Video Valley, along with infrastructure for Hallyu content.
Min Kyung-sun, the newly elected mayor of Goyang, has proposed a vision to combine AI with these assets to establish Goyang as a global hub for future industries. He emphasizes attracting the 'UN AI Hub' and building an international strategic industry base as key pledges, seeking Goyang's future in AI and content.
The question is clear: Can Goyang truly become South Korea's first capital of AI content?
The UN AI Hub: A Game Changer for Goyang's Future
Among Min's AI pledges, the most notable is the plan to attract the UN AI Hub. He envisions making Goyang a central city for international AI cooperation, going beyond merely attracting a few companies. "South Korea must leap forward as a nation that designs international norms for the AI era, and Goyang will be at the center of that change," he asserts.
This approach sets Goyang apart from other local governments, which often focus on semiconductors, data centers, and manufacturing. While most municipalities discuss technology, Goyang is emphasizing international cooperation and global networks. Given the reality that AI competition is expanding beyond technology to include normative competition, this is a strategy that should not be taken lightly.
AI is now transforming national security, industrial policy, education, and the labor market. Countries around the world are competing over standards for AI ethics, data usage, and regulations. If Goyang succeeds in attracting the UN AI Hub, it could become a center for South Korea's AI diplomacy and international cooperation, beyond just enhancing its city brand.
KINTEX and Broadcasting and Video Valley: Conditions for an AI Content Capital
Goyang's greatest strength lies not in manufacturing but in content. KINTEX is the largest exhibition and convention facility in the country, and the Broadcasting and Video Valley, along with CJ Live City, has already established a concentration of Hallyu content industries. Min Kyung-sun has stated his intention to integrate AI with these foundations to create a global AI, MICE, and content complex city. He specifically aims to connect the area around KINTEX with the UN AI Hub, a free economic zone, and Ilsan Techno Valley to establish a new growth axis.
The content industry in the AI era is fundamentally different from the past. Where hundreds of people were once needed to produce a single film, AI now handles video production, editing, translation, and dubbing. Broadcasting is also seeing the emergence of AI anchors and reporters.
ABC's initiative for AI-focused broadcasting aligns with this trend. In this context, Goyang stands out as the city where AI and content can converge most strongly in South Korea. While Seoul is known as a financial and global corporate hub, Goyang has the potential to become a center for AI content and cultural industries. Just as Hollywood exists in the U.S. and Sangam DMC in Korea, Goyang could emerge as a new hub for content innovation in the AI era.
Can Goyang Become a City for AI Startups?
A city becomes competitive when it creates an environment for businesses to grow. Min Kyung-sun aims to establish a future industry hub where AI companies and startups gather around the UN AI Hub. He has also pledged to transform the Baekseok-dong office building into a global convergence center for aerospace, AI, and game content. This is not merely a building utilization plan but a strategy to connect AI talent and businesses within an innovative ecosystem.
Innovation in the AI era often emerges from startups rather than large corporations. OpenAI began as a startup, and many AI companies have grown around universities and research institutions. For Goyang to succeed, it must create a structure where AI companies can start, receive investment, and grow.
Goyang's proximity to Seoul and its ability to attract talent from the metropolitan area are significant advantages. Coupled with KINTEX's international network and content industry infrastructure, this could provide Goyang with a competitive edge that other cities find hard to match.
Ultimately, the key to becoming an AI content capital lies not in buildings but in people, and the ability to attract talent stems from an innovative ecosystem.
The Core of Goyang's Transformation is AI
Min Kyung-sun has named his transition committee the 'Goyang Transformation Preparation Committee.' This signifies not just a simple transition but a commitment to change the city's direction. The committee's main tasks include establishing a system for implementing pledges and formulating a vision for future governance.
Goyang stands at a crucial crossroads. Will it remain stuck in the old new town model, or will it evolve into a future city that integrates AI, content, international conferences, and startups?
Min Kyung-sun's pledges lean toward the latter. His plans for the UN AI Hub and AI international city strategy are not merely local development projects but a challenge to make Goyang the global gateway for South Korea's AI industry.
Min Kyung-sun's vision for AI diverges from a manufacturing-centered growth strategy. He has laid out a blueprint to attract the UN AI Hub, nurture the AI content industry around KINTEX and the Broadcasting and Video Valley, and create a future industry hub for AI companies and startups. The winners in the AI era may not be cities with the most semiconductor factories but those that attract global talent, businesses, content, and capital. Goyang is now taking on that challenge.
:Min Kyung-sun, newly elected mayor of Goyang: Min Kyung-sun is a politician who has served as a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly and the head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Traffic Training Institute. He was elected mayor of Goyang in the 2026 local elections, presenting key pledges such as 'attracting the UN AI Hub,' 'establishing an AI international strategic industry base,' and 'creating a complex city for AI, leisure, and MICE.' He envisions transforming the Baekseok-dong office building into a global advanced convergence center and establishing a future industry belt linked to KINTEX and Ilsan Techno Valley. Immediately after his election, he launched the 'Goyang Transformation Preparation Committee,' emphasizing 'transformation' as the core keyword for his administration.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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