South Korea is launching a major initiative to test AI-powered smart city technologies across five Southeast Asian countries, reinforcing its ambition to expand its urban technology footprint across the region. According to reports cited by Tech in Asia, the program is being carried out under the 2026 K-City Network, which supports the overseas deployment of Korean-developed smart city solutions. The selected countries include Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia.
The pilot projects focus on solving practical urban challenges through AI. In Brunei, an AI-based platform will be used for water management and disaster response, while in Bacoor, Philippines, a smart traffic system will optimize traffic signals to ease congestion. Vietnam will host two projects—on-demand transport services in Ho Chi Minh City and AI-driven smart intersection controls in Can Tho to improve traffic flow and mobility.
Additional pilots include a building safety management solution for aging infrastructure in Surin, Thailand, and an intelligent traffic monitoring system in Penang, Malaysia capable of detecting accidents and congestion in real time. These projects demonstrate how AI is increasingly being integrated into urban planning, public safety, and transportation management across fast-growing cities in Southeast Asia.
Overall, the initiative is both a regional urban development effort and a strategic export move for South Korea’s technology sector. By validating these systems in real-world city environments, Seoul aims to create future opportunities for technology exports, infrastructure partnerships, and long-term investment in the region’s smart city ecosystem. The article reflects how AI-powered urban infrastructure is becoming a key area of international collaboration in Asia.
