Gangnam, Seongdong, Guro Among Districts Certified as Smart Cities by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Dong Il Joo – Nine local governments, including Gangnam-gu, Seongdong-gu, Guro-gu, and Eunpyeong-gu, have received smart city certification from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT).

Eunpyeong-gu, certified for the first time this year, earned high marks for developing a service that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to optimally guide people with disabilities and the elderly along accessible routes.

On the 24th, MOLIT announced that it newly certified nine locations as smart cities: Seoul’s Seongdong-gu, Guro-gu, Gangnam-gu, Eunpyeong-gu, Daegu Metropolitan City, Anyang-si (Gyeonggi Province), Bucheon-si (Gyeonggi Province), Suwon-si (Gyeonggi Province), and Yeosu-si (South Jeolla Province).

The smart city certification program, launched in 2021, annually assesses urban smart capabilities and identifies best practices. The evaluation comprehensively reviews the level of smart city services and infrastructure, public sector capacity and innovation, governance, and institutional frameworks of applicant local governments.

Eunpyeong-gu and Yeosu-si received certification for the first time this year, while the other seven local governments reapplied after their previous certifications expired.

Eunpyeong-gu developed and operates the “Eunpyeong Moduro” service, which uses AI to provide optimal routes for transportation-vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities and the elderly. It also established, for the first time in South Korea, a “mobility safety platform” enabling users of powered mobility devices to travel safely.

Seongdong-gu was highly rated for citizen participation and governance, including its resident policy proposal platform and public-private partnership in city management. Guro-gu received positive evaluations in welfare and safety, introducing walking-assist rehabilitation robots and a crowd safety management analysis system.

Gangnam-gu was recognized for excellence in technology demonstration and experiential environments, such as the Robot Plus Test Field and Future Education Center.

Meanwhile, seven local governments whose certifications were up for renewal in 2023—Seoul Metropolitan Government, Songpa-gu, Jongno-gu, Gwanak-gu, Seongnam-si (Gyeonggi Province), Ulsan Metropolitan City, and Suseong-gu (Daegu)—all had their certifications extended.

diju@yna.co.kr

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