OpenAI has revealed plans to create its first office in Seoul, a significant step toward increasing its presence in Asia.. The move comes as South Korea becomes the second-largest market for paying ChatGPT members, trailing only the United States. The company has also formally established a local corporation in South Korea and has begun hiring to support future relationships and operations in the nation.
According to OpenAI, further information about its activities in South Korea will be announced in the coming months. Jason Kwon, Chief Strategy Officer at OpenAI, emphasized the importance of the South Korean market.
Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon said in a statement.
“Korea's full-stack AI ecosystem makes it one of the most promising markets in the world for meaningful AI impact, from silicon to software, and students to seniors.”
OpenAI earlier announced ambitions to work with Kakao, the company that runs KakaoTalk, the most popular chat app in South Korea, to develop AI solutions. The partnership aims to boost workplace productivity by integrating advanced AI features into Kakao's services. In February, they first announced their strategic collaboration.
Jason Kwon is presently in Seoul and is set to meet with representatives from the main opposition Democratic Party and the ruling People Power Party to discuss OpenAI's growing influence in South Korea's AI landscape. The company also maintains partnerships with other key regional players, including Korea Development Bank, SK Telecom, and video game maker Krafton.
