Boeing opens research center in Seoul

The entrance to the new Boeing Korea Engineering and Technology Center in Seoul. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By Lee Suh-yoon

Aerospace manufacturer Boeing officially launched its new research center in Seoul, Friday, vowing to employ local talent in Fourth Industrial Revolution sectors such as autonomous flights and smart cabins.

The Boeing Korea Engineering and Technology Center, at ASEM Tower in Gangnam, southern Seoul, is the seventh Boeing research center to be built overseas. The other six are based in Australia, Brazil, China, Spain, India and Russia.

The Seoul center was established following an agreement signed between the city government and Boeing last year.

“The center will create jobs not only next door in the ASEM tower but also in technology that advances aerospace production in Korea,” Eric John, head of Boeing Korea, said at the opening ceremony. “It will result in even more fantastic planes that build demand with the world's carriers and it will ultimately result in more sales, more jobs in the United States and Korea and benefit both of our nations.”

About 40 researchers have so far been hired for the center, with plans for more jobs.

“The opening of the center is the result of a joint strategic effort by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy,” said Cho In-dong, the head of the economic planning office at Seoul City. “We hope that the center adds momentum to Seoul's aerospace industry and innovations in the Fourth Industrial Revolution sector.”

Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yun-mo said in his congratulatory speech: “We have high expectations, as the center will help build a cooperative model between the domestic materials and components industry and global companies needing them.”

Boeing is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes and defense systems. Boeing Korea, established in 1988, employs about 200 people in the country. Around 50 Korean companies supply products and services to Boeing's operations and research, according to Boeing Korea.