Recently, OpenAI announced the establishment of a legal entity in South Korea, marking it as the company's largest paid user market outside the United States. Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, revealed this news on May 26th during a press conference held in Seoul. He also mentioned that over the next few months, OpenAI will open an office in Seoul and begin recruiting employees to support collaboration with companies and policymakers. This signifies a deeper relationship between OpenAI and one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world.
Image source note: Image generated by AI, authorized by Midjourney.
Kwon stated that South Korea's comprehensive AI ecosystem makes it one of the most promising markets globally, and OpenAI looks forward to deepening its partnerships with developers, researchers, and businesses in South Korea. He emphasized that OpenAI aims to promote the widespread and responsible sharing of AI technologies. This week, Kwon will meet with government officials and potential partners across Asia to discuss AI infrastructure and the application of OpenAI software.
Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, OpenAI has garnered global attention toward AI. Entering South Korea is part of OpenAI's global initiative titled "Open for Nations," aimed at enhancing AI infrastructure and accessibility. Kwon mentioned that OpenAI is collaborating with local infrastructure providers to ensure data security.
In terms of partnerships with South Korean technology companies, OpenAI has reached preliminary agreements with major enterprises such as Kakao and SK Telecom. Additionally, OpenAI has signed an agreement with the state-owned Korea Development Bank (KDB) to support the development of South Korea's AI ecosystem. Kwon pointed out that through these collaborations, OpenAI aims to promote AI applications across various fields.
South Korea ranks second globally in the number of paid ChatGPT users, trailing only the United States, with weekly active users increasing 4.5 times over the past year. Kwon praised South Korea's AI ecosystem, highlighting its strengths in semiconductors, software talent, and innovation culture. He noted that South Koreans actively use AI in their daily lives, making them one of the leading adopters of AI worldwide.
Key Points:
🌐 OpenAI establishes a branch in South Korea and plans to open an office in Seoul to enhance local collaboration.
🤝 OpenAI has established strategic partnerships with South Korean enterprises like Kakao and SK Telecom.
📈 South Korea is the world's second-largest paid ChatGPT user market, with significant growth in user activity.
