The Digital Media City (DMC) is a new town development in Seoul's Sangam area. It is an incubator for the creation of digital media and it's application to all aspects of business, personal and community life. It is a place for cultural fusion and a twenty-first century laboratory for innovation.

Seoul is already well positioned to become the leading cluster of the digital media industry in East Asia and this is the base of achievement upon which DMC will build.
The DMC will host established global as well as Korean firms and start-up enterprises. Its physical infrastructure and social capital will stimulate new enterprises and will amplify existing capabilities and give them greater exposure in the international marketplace.

Enterprises creating the technology and content for the media and entertainment industry are the initial targets for recruitment. But the Digital Media City will seek the occupancy of any enterprises that create digital media technology and software or use digital media strategies to support their core business practice. These companies may include firms providing financial services, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, transportation technology, corporate consulting practices, telecommunications service providers, and a range of others.

This diversification of commonly linked enterprises will underpin the long-term success of the Digital Media City. Viable technology clusters around the world have discovered that diversity and a depth of social capital are necessary for the continuous renewal required by swings in economic and technological cycles.

DMC's is a direct response to powerful forces that will drive business growth and the community life of Seoul in the coming decades

These forces are:

1. A large and growing Korean base for IT, digital media, and entertainment businesses with global reputation.
2. A population of 40 million, that has integrated digital media technology and products into its daily life.
3. A well trained and innovative IT workforce whose continuing improvement is a focus of government support.
4. The City and regional development patterns that favor development in the Sangam area, the last major development site in Seoul.
5. Patterns of globalization that position Korea as a center for global firms operating in East Asia and a "bridge" between Western and Asian culture.

Leaders of the City, its institutions and Korean and international business communities are working together to harness these forces within the DMC.

The DMC is one of many high-tech districts in the Seoul area. Rather than compete with other districts, the Digital Media City seeks to amplify their capabilities and help them gain presence in the international marketplace.

◎ Convenient Transportation Infrastructure connecting between DMC and Seoul downtown areas

DMC is located less than one hour away from Seoul and other major cities where more than 21 million people reside in total. The roads are newly built and expanded to connect the 7km distance from DMC to the central business district of Seoul. Along with the Susaek and World Cup Stadium Stations on subway line #6, there are monorail and other non-pollutant transportation services within DMC to provide a convenient public transportation. The Gayang-daegyo and Seongsan-daegyo (grand bridges) as well as the #2 Seongsan-daegyo will offer even easier access to the IT businesses in the southern regions of Han River.

◎ Development of High-Quality Information & Communication Infrastructure

DMC will be equipped with high-quality image network with which people can access both wired and mobile communications, including the satellite. In particular, the Information & Communication network in DMC will be provided on the standpoint of resident companies and research centers, not centering on the service providers.

◎ English-speaking experts of information & media

The 43 universities and 13 colleges in Seoul produce approximately 70,000 high-quality human resources and over 20,000 people with masters or doctorate degrees. The DMC is located very near to the schools that cultivate IT-related College graduates who speak English relatively well. In addition, IT training center will be established within the DMC to supply highly educated minds to the resident companies.

◎ Environment-Friendly Living Infrastructure with Green Zones and Golf Courses

One of the goals of DMC Project is to embody a development that harmonizes with the environment and one that consider people first. In accordance to the objective, special efforts are placed to create the best living environment within the DMC. Including the Noeul and Hanul Parks, a total of five parks are being afforested for people to enjoy the green, evening glow and the Han River. In addition, there will be an ecological public golf course in the Noeul Park with an area of 340.500㎡ (79 acres). The environmentally friendly design and management will be applied to the ecological greens by minimizing the landscape modification and the use of chemicals to provide a natural habitat.

◎ DMC is a Gateway Town to the Northeast Asian Market

While geopolitically located at the center of both oceanic and continental cultures, Korea is an excellent place to grasp the demands of 1.7 billion consumers in Northeast Asia and carry out effective marketing strategies. The Korean entertainment industry, for example, has recently gained much popularity from China and other Asian countries. With a great potential to serve as the gateway to the Asian regions, Korea offers very easy access to China and Japan.
DMC is only 30 minutes away from the Incheon International Airport, which means that businesses in the new town can approach 1.7 billion consumers in the Northeast Asian market within two hours. In particular, the Gyeongeui Railroad currently under restoration will run through North Korea to enable direct access to China and Russia.

◎ Near Vicinity to the Metropolitan Market with 21 Million People

DMC is very close to the metropolitan market with 21 million consumers. Those companies moving in early in the development stage in particular can benefit from various support programs. Since DMC is within a walking distance from the World Cup Stadium where it will have the attention of the world during the opening game, it will be a great opportunity for business publicity.

◎ Competitive Land Price

Land will be offered at a competitive price or at an estimated development cost to IT businesses, developers and investors that participate in establishing the IT education & training centers, main preceding facilities, broadcasting software & high-tech business facilities, education & research institutes and convention centers. For facilities essential in activating the complex, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will make direct investments or carry out joint development with private investors. The high-tech business buildings will also be leased out to tenants based on long-term and with low interest rates.

◎ DMC Incentives

DMC offers an incentive package that includes land, tax and financial benefits. In order to secure full occupancy rate of DMC, early move-ins (businesses and organizations alike) will be given differentiated incentives. Above all, a 'Foreign Investment Zone' is specially designated to offer comprehensive support systems such as tax reductions and exemptions to foreign investors.

◎ Strong Support Policies of Seoul City and the Government

The Seoul City has prepared investment funds necessary for early activation of DMC, and is currently promoting the construction projects for Seoul Animation Center, Seoul Venture Town and their subsidiary facilities. The government organizations such as the Korea Culture & Contents Agency of Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the Planning Office of Ministry of Information & Communication and the Regional Office for Ministry of Government Administration and Domestic Affairs will also move in to DMC to support local businesses. DMC will be publicized through the events such as 'Seoul Media City 2002' and companies within the DMC will be further supported to achieve the utmost advertising benefits.