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Korea to pilot AI smart cities in 5 Southeast Asian countries

Published: 13 Apr. 2026, 14:02

Visitors participate in the ″2025 World Smart City Expo″ held in Busan in July 2025. The event was organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Science and ICT. [NEWS1]

Korea will undertake pilot projects to test AI-based smart city technologies in five Southeast Asian countries, aimed at helping address urban challenges and support domestic firms' global expansions, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said Monday.

The ministry said it has selected six projects to be carried out in five countries under its 2026 K-City Network program, an initiative that supports the application of domestic smart city projects.

In Brunei, an AI-based smart city platform will be tested to improve water management and disaster response, while a smart traffic management system will help optimize traffic signals in Bacoor of the Philippines.

Projects in Vietnam will help introduce on-demand transport services in Ho Chi Minh City and deploy AI-based smart intersection control systems in Can Tho to improve traffic flow.

Additional projects include implementing a safety management solution for aging buildings in Surin, Thailand, and deploying a traffic management system in Penang, Malaysia, to detect accidents and congestion.

The ministry said the program is expected to help validate the effectiveness of Korean smart technologies in overseas markets and lead to follow-up exports and investment opportunities.

Yonhap