'Reality of AI City Hwaseong'...Global AI Expo 'MARS 2026' Opens

The opening ceremony of the global AI expo "MARS 2026" was held at the 3rd floor auditorium of Seoul COEX under the slogan 'AI CITY IN ACTION (AI City, Now a Reality)'.

The expo runs for four days at Seoul COEX's D Hall, Auditorium, and Conference E Room through the 5th.

At the opening ceremony held on the morning of the 2nd at COEX's 3rd floor auditorium, approximately 1,000 guests including Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong Special Municipality, Chairman Lee Gye-cheol of the Hwaseong Special City Council, National Assembly members from both ruling and opposition parties, major business leaders, and citizens gathered to celebrate together.

Humanoid Robot 'Walker C1' Ballet Performance

On the opening stage, the humanoid robot 'Walker C1' with advanced physical AI technology applied showcased delicate and elegant ballet movements. Following the robot's precise movements, a children's choir took the stage.

Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong Special Municipality stated in his opening address, "Hwaseong Special Municipality, the city that first turns AI's future into reality...adding AI and aerospace to our manufacturing base, we will leap forward as the center of South Korea's future industries."

Mayor Jung further said, "This year at 'MARS 2026,' just as the theme 'AI City In Action, AI City, Now a Reality' suggests, we will now turn vision into action and carry forward to concrete changes in the city."

Mayor Jung stated, "Hwaseong Special Municipality is the heart of South Korea's advanced manufacturing industry, home to Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor and Kia's Namyang Research Institute, and over 26,000 manufacturing companies," and presented a vision, "We will nurture new future growth engines in the aerospace industry by adding AI innovation."

Renowned Scholar Professor Sam Richards: "Hwaseong City is the Global AI Leader"

Professor Sam Richards of Pennsylvania State University, a renowned global sociologist who delivered the keynote speech, took the stage with a lecture on the theme 'The Future of AI, Can Korea Lead the World?'

Professor Sam Richards said, "If Korea's communal values and the dynamic industrial energy of Hwaseong Special Municipality combine, South Korea will become a global leader that goes beyond being a technology follower and sets the direction for the world's AI future, and Hwaseong Special Municipality stands at the center of this challenge."

'2026 MARS Alliance' Departure...Proclamation of Industry-Academy-Research-Government AI Coalition

The '2026 MARS Alliance Departure Ceremony' that followed highlighted the opening ceremony.

On stage were Mayor Jung Myung-geun of Hwaseong Special Municipality, Chairman Lee Gye-cheol of the Hwaseong Special City Council, President Jeon Byung-seon of the Hwaseong Industry Promotion Agency, Professor Sam Richards, and representatives from approximately 20 major companies including Samsung Life Insurance, Hyundai Motor Group, Kia, Daewoo Pharmaceutical, Shinsegae Property, Innospace, Dongtan City Hospital, JM Robotics, Voltline, Abiman Robotics, and Zeus.

The attendees simultaneously touched buttons on the stage screen to officially proclaim an execution-focused AI coalition. Subsequently, the atmosphere of the opening ceremony intensified as they announced a departure statement pledging the establishment of a sustainable AI ecosystem.

In E4 Hall, a 'MOBILITY AI' session on future vehicles and autonomous driving took place, while in E5 Hall, a 'REAL LIFE AI' session focused on healthcare and smart homes was conducted. Additionally, in COEX's D2 Hall, 62 companies and institutions including Hyundai Motor, Kia, Samsung Life Insurance, and Daewoo Pharmaceutical showcased cutting-edge AI technology.