Surge in ChatGPT Adoption Across South Korea

ChatGPT usage is surging in South Korea, ranking second globally in paid subscriptions after the U.S., according to OpenAI. The company’s Chief Strategy Officer noted Korea is among the top five countries for ChatGPT business users and ranks high in overall usage and developer activity. However, experts caution that these metrics don’t necessarily signify true AI leadership. The Korea Herald suggests that Korea’s strong digital infrastructure and smartphone access account for the rapid adoption, rather than advanced technological capability. In April 2025, 17.4 million Koreans used the ChatGPT mobile app, but experts argue that the absence of detailed subscriber data limits understanding of the market. Kang Jung Soo, of BludotAI, emphasized that high accessibility, not premium usage, drives growth, pointing out that while Korea’s interest in AI is robust, it doesn’t imply a dominant or mature market. Historical events, like the AlphaGo match, have further fueled public interest in AI.

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