Seoul, 14 January 2026 — The Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez joined members of the diplomatic community in a Tea Roundtable and Smart City Site Visit hosted by Seongdong-gu Mayor Jung Won-oh and Dr. Min Byoungchul of the Sunfull Foundation, highlighting Seongdong-gu’s innovative and human-centered approach to smart city development.

Mayor Jung presented Seongdong-gu’s vision of using artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to enhance public safety, promote inclusivity, and improve residents’ quality of life. He underscored the importance of ensuring that innovation serves people, strengthens community trust, and upholds human dignity.

During the roundtable meeting, Ambassador Fernandez congratulated Mayor Jung on Seongdong-gu’s rapid transformation into a leading smart and lifestyle district in Seoul, and commended the district’s inclusive public spaces and one-stop administrative services. The Ambassador noted that AI is a priority area for the Philippines, particularly in advancing regional cooperation within ASEAN, and expressed interest in further exchanges on smart-city best practices.

Participants visited several smart city sites, including smart crosswalk systems, climate-adaptive public shelters, and the AI Future Technology Experience Center, which provides future-technology education for youth and promotes ethical digital citizenship.

The meeting provided an opportunity to explore potential avenues for international cooperation in smart city governance, AI, and education, reinforcing the shared commitment of Seongdong-gu and the Philippine Embassy to people-centered, sustainable, and inclusive urban development. END