MCT Festival Organizing Committee Chairman Kim Young-gu aims to create a Korean version of the Davos Forum

"While K-culture is leading the world, what is still missing is a global forum where intellectuals can gather and discuss. Our goal going forward is to create a place like the Davos Forum.
"This is the ambition expressed by Kim Yong-gu, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the 2025 MCT (Magok Culture & Tech Festival)."
As the name suggests, the MCT Festival, which will begin this year, is a fusion festival of science, technology, art and culture held in the Magok-dong area of Gangseo-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
In particular, the international conference that brings together experts is the core of this event that Chairman Kim places the greatest importance on. In the future, he hopes to expand the scale and develop it into the "Korean version of the Davos Forum."
"Through this year's event, we will lay the foundation for a future where intellects from around the world will come together to form the global
"We aim to develop it into a Korean version of the Davos Forum, where we can discuss the future," he emphasized. Kim also currently serves as chairman of the Korea Artificial Intelligence Promotion Association.
The MCT Festival is an event planned with the aim of leading the fusion of science, technology, culture and art. The event will be held for three days from the 12th to the 14th of this month at Magok Plaza and Seo Hall in COEX Magok.
The festival will be held in the Botanical Gardens area. The event will include an international conference, a corporate open house, a special screening of the International Documentary Film Festival, a video story competition, and an AR stand.
A variety of programs are planned, including a prairie. It is also interesting that the name includes "Magok." Chairman Kim said, "It is a place where the world's best R&D infrastructure and cutting-edge industries are concentrated.
Magok is also home to ecological spaces such as Seoul Botanic Garden and the lives of local communities. "Furthermore, there are two international airports nearby (Incheon and Gimpo).
"It is a place that connects Korea with the world," he continued, "because technology, nature, culture and arts coexist, it is a region where the 'value of fusion' can be realized most naturally."
"It's the perfect place for cultures to meet," he added. Among the diverse programs, Chairman Kim highlighted the "international conference" as the core. "It's a place where global technology and cultural innovators gather,
"This is a rare opportunity to discuss the future of technology, culture, and society," he said, adding, "It will be a place where people can experience how the development of science and technology, such as artificial intelligence and robotics, can be harmonized with the humanities."
The conference will feature lectures by Korea's top science and technology experts, as well as a talk concert featuring world-renowned science fiction author Ken Liu.
"There is a skeptical view that technological development has really made human life happier," he said, adding, "Through this conference, we hope to see the development of science and technology that can contribute to human happiness."
"It will be an important opportunity to explore the possibilities," he emphasized. In addition to the conference, various events are planned. Chairman Kim said, "We hope to see technology as a 'play' rather than a 'study'.
"The walking content 'Magok GO' utilizes AR technology, and as you walk around the city with your smartphone, you will see virtual objects and stories.
"The Future Technology Playground will feature drones, robots and AI media that can be directly touched and operated," he explained.
He also said, "The AI video story competition is a way for citizens to become creators."
"Through these experiences, technology will no longer be something to be afraid of, but will become familiar as a tool for living together," he added. There will also be performances, experience booths, and a photo zone around Magok Square and Seoul Botanic Garden.
The "Reading Books Magok" program will offer visitors the opportunity to spend time with a book on the lawn, and a special screening room will be available to watch the latest documentaries from around the world for free.
Chairman Kim said, "Rather than treating it as a one-off event, the knowledge and creative works generated through the event will be stored in a digital 'knowledge hub' and AR archive."
He emphasized, "Magok will become a holy place for cultural technology that will live 365 days a year, and will be a place where communication and practice will continue even after the festival, centered on the online community."
We will continue our journey to give warm hearts and powerful wings to culture." "We will grow into the world's best cultural and technological fusion festival and make Magok a cultural and technological port visited by people from all over the world."
I hope that will be the case," he added.