U.S.-based artificial intelligence company OpenAI announced Monday that it will soon open a new office in Seoul, marking its official entry into the South Korean market. The move is part of OpenAI’s growing global footprint, with the Korean office set to become its third branch in Asia following Tokyo and Singapore.
Seoul Named Strategic Hub in Asia
OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, Jason Kwon, announced during a press conference in Seoul, highlighting the country’s strong engagement with the company’s AI platforms, including ChatGPT.
While an exact opening date was not disclosed, Kwon confirmed that the Seoul office would be launched in the coming months. OpenAI has recently expanded operations with 11 new offices worldwide in cities such as Paris, London, Brussels, Dublin, and Tokyo.
South Korea Among Top ChatGPT User Bases
According to OpenAI, South Korea is a key player in the AI adoption landscape. The country ranks among the top 10 globally regarding ChatGPT user numbers and developer engagement with OpenAI’s platforms. Notably, South Korea has the second-largest number of paid ChatGPT subscribers, trailing only the United States.
Strengthening Local AI Collaboration
Before they had a physical presence in Korea, OpenAI had established partnerships with leading Korean companies including Kakao Corp., Krafton Inc., and SK Telecom. These partnership activities included advancing use cases of AI applications and developing data center infrastructure.
Kwon said the new office will allow OpenAI to develop stronger ties with Korean policymakers, developers, and business leaders in their respective fields, allowing them to develop AI technology that is tailored to the local market.
No Plans Yet for a Korean Data Center
While OpenAI recently announced the construction of a major AI computing cluster in Abu Dhabi, Kwon did not comment on whether a similar infrastructure will be established in South Korea.
The potential for a Korean-based data center remains unclear, but industry watchers suggest the presence of strong local cloud infrastructure and tech companies could support such a move in the future.
Korea’s Role in OpenAI’s Future
As evidenced by OpenAI’s decision to expand its Korean presence, Korea has demonstrated its growing significance in the global AI landscape.
Korea has an incredibly engaged user community, and its government has become increasingly focused on digital innovation; this provides OpenAI with a tremendous opportunity to establish a major footprint during its international expansion.
By establishing a local office, OpenAI will support Korea’s adoption of AI and help to align its services and tools with Korea’s technology agenda and regulatory environment.
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