OpenAI is making a significant move into South Korea by setting up its first office in Seoul and establishing a legal entity in the country, a response to the rapidly growing demand for its ChatGPT service. South Korea now has the highest number of paying ChatGPT subscribers outside the United States, highlighting the nation’s enthusiasm for advanced AI technologies.
To support this expansion, OpenAI has begun recruiting staff in Seoul, aiming to strengthen partnerships with local businesses and policymakers. The company expects to share more details about its plans in the coming months. Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s Chief Strategy Officer, emphasized that Korea’s robust AI ecosystem spanning from hardware to software and serving all age groups makes it one of the most promising markets globally for impactful AI innovation.
Earlier this year, OpenAI announced a strategic partnership with Kakao, South Korea’s leading chat app operator, to develop AI solutions tailored for the local market. Kakao plans to integrate OpenAI’s technology into its services, further accelerating the adoption of generative AI in Korea’s digital landscape. This collaboration is part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to expand its presence in Asia, following similar moves in Japan and Singapore.
The surge in ChatGPT’s popularity in South Korea is evident: the number of users surpassed 1 million for the first time in May, with engagement and new downloads also rising sharply. South Koreans collectively spent over 739,000 hours on the app last month, reflecting both growing interest and diverse usage across the population.
OpenAI’s expansion aligns with South Korea’s own ambitions to become a global leader in specialized AI. The government has announced plans to nurture 10,000 software companies and invest heavily in AI infrastructure, aiming to integrate AI across sectors such as healthcare, law, and smart cities. This supportive environment, combined with strong local industry partners like Kakao and leading semiconductor companies, positions South Korea as an ideal hub for AI development and innovation.
In addition to business and technology initiatives, OpenAI executives, including Jason Kwon, are engaging with both ruling and opposition party officials in Seoul to discuss the future of AI policy and collaboration, underscoring the strategic importance of the Korean market for the company’s global ambitions.
With its new Seoul office, OpenAI is poised to play a central role in shaping South Korea’s AI landscape, leveraging local talent, infrastructure, and partnerships to drive the next wave of AI-powered solutions for both Korean users and the broader global community.
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