OpenAI reportedly to launch Seoul office in September

OpenAI will open its Seoul office in September as part of its expansion in South Korea, according to industry sources.

A press conference is planned for September 10 to mark the official launch.

Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer, is expected to discuss the company’s plans for the Korean market and introduce the head of OpenAI Korea, a role still being filled.

OpenAI announced its intention to open a Seoul office in May and has been hiring locally since then.

The move follows the company’s recent office launches in cities such as Paris, Brussels, Singapore, London, Dublin, and Tokyo.

South Korea is one of OpenAI’s fastest-growing markets and reportedly ranks second only to the US in the number of paid ChatGPT subscribers.

🔗 Source: Yonhap

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ OpenAI’s Korea entry coincides with landmark AI regulation implementation

OpenAI’s September launch timing positions the company strategically ahead of South Korea’s new AI regulatory landscape.

The country became the first in the Asia-Pacific region to adopt comprehensive AI legislation with the AI Framework Act, which takes effect January 22, 20262. This gives OpenAI approximately four months to establish operations and build relationships with local partners before the new compliance requirements begin.

The Act introduces specific obligations for “high-impact” AI systems and emphasizes transparency through mandatory labeling for generative AI applications2. Early market entry allows OpenAI to shape its Korean operations to align with these upcoming requirements, potentially giving it an advantage over competitors who enter later.

This regulatory timing reflects OpenAI’s broader expansion strategy, as the company has opened 11 new offices globally in recent years, suggesting a deliberate approach to establishing presence before regulatory frameworks solidify1.

2️⃣ South Korea represents substantial growth opportunity in concentrated AI market

The Korean AI market offers significant scale with clear growth trajectory that justifies OpenAI’s direct investment in local operations.

South Korea’s AI market was valued at approximately $1.19 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach around $5.05 billion by 2034, representing a 15.60% compound annual growth rate3. This puts Korea among the fastest-growing AI markets globally.