Korean Cities and Regions Advance EU Cooperation under IURC Communities of Practice

Under the IURC framework, leading Korean cities and regions are actively engaging in multiple Communities of Practice (CoPs), strengthening structured cooperation with European partners. Seoul, Incheon, Jeonju, Chungcheongnam-do, Jeollanam-do, and Jeju are collaborating across thematic areas including smart mobility, AI-driven urban governance, sustainable tourism, hydrogen transition, and just transition. These partnerships combine policy exchange, joint site visits, pilot development, and capacity-building activities to deliver tangible outcomes.

Seoul – CoP Cities 1 (Innovative Mobility)

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is actively participating in CoP Cities 1, focusing on innovative mobility solutions to address traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Following the kick-off meeting, Seoul is collaborating with European partners including Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Torino (Italy), who are scheduled to conduct a joint site visit to Seoul from 5–8 May to exchange practices on smart mobility, AI-based traffic management, and shared transport systems. Seoul has also proposed linking CoP activities to international mobility-related events, such as World Public Transport Day (17 April), as an opportunity for joint promotion and visibility among partner cities. During the Seoul–Rotterdam joint webinar held on 10 February, a flagship initiative presented was the Seoul Climate Card—Korea’s first unlimited public transport pass covering subways, licensed buses, public bikes, and river buses. Introduced in 2024, the scheme promotes voluntary behavioral change by incentivizing public transport use. Early results show strong uptake, reduced private car dependency, and measurable GHG reductions, generating significant interest from European peers for further knowledge exchange and potential joint activities.

Incheon – CoP Cities 9 (Data-Driven Cities & Digital Governance)

The Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) in Incheon is participating in CoP Cities 9 on Data-Driven Cities and Digital Governance. Two CoP meetings have already been held (28 January and 10 February), where Incheon emphasized the importance of strong public-sector leadership in digital transformation, highlighting that government should build the “playground” for private innovation while ensuring clear governance, oversight, and data protection.

IFEZ is advancing an AI-driven Smart City model centered on an AI City Brain platform, digital twin–based urban management, and large-scale CCTV and sensor infrastructure. As a real-city AI testbed, it aims to position itself as a globally replicable AI City model. Through CoP 9, Incheon seeks to co-develop globally applicable AI City standards, exchange knowledge on AI governance and ethics, and validate AI-based services through multi-city testbeds.

Jeonju – CoP Cities 3 & 11 (Smart Tourism & Human Smart Living Labs)

The city of Jeonju is participating in both CoP Cities 3 (Sustainable Smart Tourism) and CoP Cities 11 (International Human Smart Living Lab Network), advancing cooperation with partners including Prato and Coimbra.

In CoP Cities 3, Jeonju is refining its Urban Cooperation Action Plan (UCAP) ahead of the February 2026 deadline, focusing on dispersing tourism flows beyond the crowded Hanok Village, applying AI for tourism management, and promoting low-carbon mobility solutions.

In CoP Cities 11, Jeonju is contributing to the development of a global Human Smart Living Lab (HSLL) Network, working on citizen participation mechanisms, micro-pilot activities, and the creation of a shared digital platform methodology linked to upcoming collaborative events and study visits planned for 2026.

Chungcheongnam-do – CoP Region 3 & 4 (Hydrogen & Just Transition)

Chungcheongnam-do is participating in CoP Region 3 (Hydrogen), positioning clean hydrogen as a key instrument for industrial decarbonisation and coal phase-out. As a major hub for steel and petrochemical industries, the province is implementing its 2030 Clean Hydrogen Plan, expanding green and blue hydrogen production, deploying over 2,100 hydrogen vehicles, operating 25 refuelling stations, and planning to introduce around 1,200 hydrogen buses by 2030. In September, it will join a joint site visit with Ile-de-France (France), Catalonia (Spain) , and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Republic of Korea) to strengthen interregional hydrogen cooperation.

Under CoP Region 4 (Just Transition), Chungcheongnam-do is contributing to discussions on socially inclusive transition strategies, stakeholder engagement, and governance models, aligning hydrogen deployment with fair cost–benefit distribution and workforce transition efforts.

Jeollanam-do – CoP Region 4 (Just Transition)

Jeollanam-do is participating in CoP Region 4 (Just Transition), led by Łódzkie (Poland). In autumn, Łódzkie, Bremen (Germany), and Pomerania (Poland) are expected to conduct a joint site visit to Jeollanam-do and Chungcheongnam-do to deepen interregional cooperation.

Recent meetings reviewed regional cooperation plans and agreed on a shared definition of just transition, emphasizing socio-economic transformation, reduced inequalities, and fair distribution of transition costs and benefits. Jeollanam-do highlighted its renewable energy transition context, including offshore wind and solar PV expansion, structured around social objectives, community benefits, and post-transition employment strategies.

Jeju – CoP Region 3 & CoP Cities 2 (Hydrogen & Future Modalities)

Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is participating in CoP Region 3 (Hydrogen), focusing on green hydrogen innovation and carbon neutrality. In September, Jeju will host a joint site visit with Ile-de-France (France), Catalonia (Spain), and Chungcheongnam-do (Republic of Korea) alongside the 4th Green Hydrogen Global Forum (14–16 September), and has proposed organizing a dedicated IURC CoP seminar during the Forum.Through research initiatives such as the Green Hydrogen Glocal Leading Research Center at Jeju National University and the EVRI platform, Jeju seeks to expand international partnerships. In CoP Cities 2 (Future Modalities), Jeju participates as an observer, following discussions on CCAM, integrated mobility centers, and low-carbon vehicles, while exploring links between hydrogen mobility and broader international cooperation.

Written by Soomin Yang, Programme Officer in CityNet, IURC Korean Helpdesk
(korea.helpdesk@iurc.eu)