An Investigation of Smart City Development Implementation in Korea: Barriers, Potential and Future

The implementation of smart city development projects faces numerous barriers that hinder progress and require effective policies and strategies. This study examines the barriers encountered in innovative city development in Korea based on existing literature, including lack of political support, insufficient external financial support, limited cooperation, physical and environmental characteristics, technological limitations, social factors, financial constraints, and political challenges. The development of smart cities in Korea often focuses on idealized visions of the future, overlooking the complexities of existing urban environments. To address these barriers, the study proposes strategies based on Korea's experience, such as large-scale collaboration, component sharing, instilling a culture of innovation, and integrating information and communication technologies (ICTs). Examples of ongoing smart city projects in Korea, like the Sejong 5–1 Living Area and the Incheon Free Economic Zone, highlight the importance of transportation design, crime prevention, and smart tourism. The study acknowledges that smart city construction is a global trend and recognizes developing countries’ unique challenges. Understanding these challenges is vital for promoting successful smart city development globally. Overall, the study provides insights into the barriers to smart city development in Korea and offers strategies to overcome them, contributing to the discourse on smart city development and providing implications for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers in the field.