Saudi Minister Concludes Productive Visit to South Korea
Majed Al-Hogail, the Saudi Minister of Municipalities and Housing, recently concluded a significant visit to South Korea, as part of a broader Asian tour that also included China. The visit, which took place around October 18, 2025, aimed to bolster international cooperation in the critical sectors of housing, infrastructure, and smart cities, directly supporting the ambitious objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Enhancing Bilateral Cooperation in Urban Development
Minister Al-Hogail's discussions in Seoul focused on deepening the strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and South Korea. This collaboration is designed to leverage Korean expertise in urban technologies and digital transformation to accelerate Saudi Arabia's urban development goals. Key areas of focus included:
- Smart city development and urban facility management.
- Digital transformation within housing services.
- The exchange of global expertise to build sustainable and technologically advanced cities.
The visit underscores an ongoing strategic approach to strengthening international partnerships, building on a strong relationship that dates back to a 2016 memorandum of understanding in the housing sector, followed by executive programs in 2021 and 2023 that expanded cooperation to include smart cities and urban digital transformation.
Focus on Advanced Smart City Technologies
A central theme of the visit was the integration of cutting-edge technologies into Saudi urban landscapes. Discussions highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence (AI), digital twin technology, and cloud computing in enhancing the efficiency of urban services and improving the quality of life for citizens.
A notable example of existing collaboration is the strategic agreement between the National Housing Company (NHC) and NAVER Corporation. This partnership, valued at over SAR2 billion, was signed in November during Cityscape Global in Riyadh and focuses on developing innovative digital solutions. Minister Al-Hogail's visit to South Korea is expected to pave the way for new agreements with leading Korean companies specializing in urban technologies and smart construction, further solidifying this technological exchange.
Aligning with Saudi Vision 2030's Ambitious Goals
The cooperation with South Korea is integral to Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the Kingdom into a regional leader in modern urban development. The initiatives discussed aim to increase the homeownership rate to 70 percent by 2030 and foster a sustainable real estate balance through diversified partnerships and technology transfer. Furthermore, the integration of smart city infrastructure is anticipated to significantly impact the Kingdom's tourism vision, enhancing visitor experiences through digital concierge services, smart itinerary planning, and seamless interaction with urban systems.
5 Comments
Michelangelo
Increased homeownership and advanced infrastructure? That's a win-win for citizens and the economy.
Leonardo
The article highlights advanced tech like digital twins for urban efficiency, which is promising. Still, we need to consider the long-term maintenance costs and the potential for technological obsolescence in such rapidly evolving fields.
Raphael
While leveraging Korean expertise is smart for rapid development, ensuring sustainable local job creation and tech transfer should be paramount to truly benefit the Saudi workforce long-term.
Karamba
Digital transformation in housing services sounds efficient, yet the focus on high-tech solutions might alienate those less digitally literate or in remote areas. A balanced approach is crucial.
Bermudez
Leveraging AI and digital twins for urban planning is genius. This will set new global standards.