Kim Tae-soo, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council’s Housing and Space Committee (People Power Party, Seongbuk District 4), delivered a welcome speech at the opening ceremony of the ‘Smart Life Week 2025’ (SLW 2025), held at COEX in Seoul on September 30 at 1 p.m.
Now in its second year, SLW 2025 is an event showcasing future technologies such as smart cities, artificial intelligence (AI), robots, and climate tech. It has grown to nearly double the size of last year, with participation from 80 countries, 121 cities, and 330 companies worldwide. The event addressed previous criticisms regarding ‘lack of content diversity’ and ‘insufficient promotion’ by utilizing various promotional channels and expanding exhibit areas.
More than 200 attendees were present at the opening ceremony, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, mayors from significant overseas cities, international organization representatives, ambassadors to Korea, corporate and academic figures. The event began with a video featuring a digital human known as the ‘AI Mayor,’ capturing the audience’s attention by embedding Seoul’s AI philosophy and vision.
In his welcome speech, Chairman Kim emphasized, “Technology should be a means to make citizens’ lives safer and more comfortable,” adding, “Seoul’s smart technology should first shine beside workers, patients, and citizens in need of care.” He further stated, “Smart Life Week serves not just as an exhibition but as a global innovation platform. The Seoul Metropolitan Council will spare no institutional and financial support to ensure that smart technology provides practical benefits to citizens’ lives and strengthens urban competitiveness.”
After the opening ceremony, Chairman Kim toured the exhibition hall, viewing prominent displays such as the AI humanoid robot ‘Sophia,’ the Yongsan International Business District smart city, and the vehicle data smart scanner. He encouraged those in attendance by stating, “Active promotion is needed so that more citizens can participate,” hoping that Seoul’s smart technology would elevate its status on the world stage.
Meanwhile, the Eastern District Administration of Paris, which was invited to participate in SLW 2025 during an overseas inspection by the Housing and Space Committee last July, also participated in this event. Chairman Kim expressed a warm welcome upon reuniting with Chairman Pierre Miroudot, who was part of the delegation at that time.