Seoul: Land Minister Kim Yun-duk on Monday held talks with his Saudi counterpart to discuss ways to expand bilateral cooperation in urban development, smart cities, and digital twin technologies, officials said. The meeting underscores the growing interest in leveraging technology to enhance urban living environments.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the meeting was arranged at the request of Majed Al-Hogail, the visiting Saudi housing minister, who proposed strengthening cooperation in smart city initiatives currently being promoted by Seoul's land ministry. This highlights Saudi Arabia's interest in adopting innovative urban solutions from South Korea.
During the meeting, Kim highlighted South Korea's integrated smart city platform technology, which links the information systems of local governments, fire, and police departments to enable a real-time response to emergencies such as fires and accidents. This platform represents a significant advancement in urban management and emergency response capabilities.
He also expressed hope that South Korean companies will actively participate in Saudi Arabia's large-scale urban development projects, including the US$50 billion New Murabba redevelopment initiative in Riyadh. This project is a key part of Saudi Arabia's vision to transform its urban landscape and enhance its infrastructure.
Al-Hogail said he hopes to incorporate digital technologies into Saudi urban management through cooperation with South Korea, stressing that Korean companies' smart city and digital twin technologies could play a key role in addressing urban challenges. This collaboration could lead to significant advancements in how cities are planned and managed, utilizing cutting-edge technology for sustainable growth.