Korea is emerging as one of OpenAI’s most dynamic markets. With millions of active users, fast-growing enterprise adoption, and direct government engagement, OpenAI’s DevDay Exchange in Seoul signals a clear strategic priority. This OpenAI event reflects how global AI leaders now view Korean startups and developers as central to accelerating real-world applications and shaping the region’s next phase of AI-driven growth.

OpenAI Hosts DevDay Exchange in Seoul After Signing Government MOU

OpenAI held DevDay Exchange Seoul on 13 November at a studio in Mapo. The event is part of a global series linked to the main DevDay in San Francisco, taking place across five cities: London, São Paulo, Bengaluru, Tokyo, and Seoul.

OpenAI stated that the Seoul event aligns with the startup-support initiatives outlined in the memorandum of understanding signed with Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT during Sam Altman’s meeting with President Lee Jae-myung on 1 October. The agreement focuses on cooperation for national AI transformation and strengthening Korea’s AI ecosystem.

More than 150 corporate and developer participants joined the Seoul program. OpenAI introduced lower-cost GPT models and demonstrated Vibe Coding features designed to streamline rapid prototyping.

Korea’s Adoption Scale Positions It as a High-Growth AI Market

According to OpenAI, ChatGPT usage in Korea has reached 17 million people. The figure is roughly four times higher than the previous year, reflecting one of the fastest growth curves among major global markets. During his meeting with President Lee, Sam Altman noted that Korea ranks at the top globally for paid ChatGPT subscriptions relative to population size.

Korea’s developer ecosystem and enterprise readiness also stand out. Companies across industries are adopting AI for product enhancement, workflow optimization, and customer-facing innovation.

At the event, OpenAI Korea Country Director Kim Kyung-hoon said that Korea is no longer trying to catch up with global AI trends but is now shaping them, emphasizing the strength of its developer community.

OpenAI on South Korea’s Market Potential and Developer Momentum

A founder of a domestic IT startup noted that Korean companies advancing AI capabilities are already current or future users of OpenAI’s tools,

“Korean startups who are working to advance AI technologies are essentially OpenAI’s current or potential customers. This may become a strategy for OpenAI to build the image of a supporter for Korean startups while expanding its influence among local companies and AI developers.”

Kim Kyung-hoon of OpenAI Korea added that the company’s attention to Korea is driven by the activity and sophistication of the local developer ecosystem.

“Korea is no longer following global AI development—it is leading it. The reason OpenAI is focusing on Korea is because of the country’s strong developer ecosystem.”

Korea’s AI Momentum Signals Market Shifts for Global Innovators

Korea’s AI market shows three major signals that resonate across global venture and policy circles:

A Large, High-Engagement of AI User Base

Seventeen million ChatGPT users represent an infrastructure of everyday familiarity with generative AI, which accelerates adoption across sectors ranging from education to enterprise software.

Enterprise Willingness to Integrate AI at Scale

Korean companies show strong intent to incorporate large language models, coding tools, and domain-specific AI into their operations. This willingness creates a commercial environment where global AI providers can introduce advanced products with shorter adoption cycles.

Government Support for AI Transformation

The MOU between OpenAI and the Ministry of Science and ICT signals formal alignment on ecosystem development. Cooperation of this kind strengthens Korea’s position as a testbed for global AI products and cross-border collaboration. It also aligns with Korea’s AI Transformation (AX) strategy and the country’s ambition to become the world’s Top Three AI powerhouse.

At the same time, these dynamics also offer Korean startups with faster access to advanced tools and a clearer path to building globally competitive AI services. As for investors and policymakers, Korea’s rapid usage growth and enterprise momentum offer an early look at how generative AI markets may evolve in Asia.

What This Means for Korea’s AI Trajectory

OpenAI’s DevDay Exchange in Seoul illustrates how Korea is shifting from a high-usage market to a strategic hub for developer-driven AI innovation. The combination of government cooperation, enterprise readiness, and a fast-scaling user base positions Korea as a key node in OpenAI’s global expansion.

As AI tools, infrastructure, and regulations continue to evolve, Korea’s startups and developers are likely to shape new applications that influence markets across Asia and beyond.

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