The Seoul Institute

What The Seoul Institute does

The Seoul Institute (서울연구원) is a municipal government-funded research institute (출연기관) established in 1987 under the Seoul Metropolitan Government, functioning as the city's official urban policy think tank. It conducts policy research, longitudinal surveys, and economic monitoring to inform Seoul's governance and planning decisions across areas including urban planning, welfare, transportation, environmental sustainability, economic innovation, and cultural heritage. The institute operates a portfolio of interconnected platforms and data products: the Seoul Research Data Service (data.si.re.kr) hosting survey datasets, photo archives, and statistical resources; a public Open API providing programmatic access to 2,100+ research documents; branded economic indicators including the Seoul Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) and Business Survey Index (BSI); and longitudinal surveys such as the biennial Seoul Welfare Survey (3,000+ households since 2013) and Seoul Youth Panel Survey. Its dedicated AI Big Data Lab conducts applied AI research including deep-learning urban flood monitoring (computer vision), AIoT-based elderly care platforms (process automation), machine-learning crisis-signal detection for social isolation (predictive analytics), and a generative-AI digital atlas for cultural heritage. The organization is structured across ten-plus specialized research divisions covering economic innovation, inclusive cities, future spatial studies, smart transportation, infrastructure, sustainability, public investment management, and startup support (Seoul Rise Center), plus international megacity cooperation via the MeTTA unit. Revenue mechanics are non-commercial: the institute is funded through Seoul Metropolitan Government appropriations, and all research outputs, data services, and publications are provided free of charge to the Seoul government (sole paying client), academic researchers, and Seoul citizens. Distribution occurs through the institute's website, Open Data Platform, Open API, weekly newsletter, and active social-media channels (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Naver blog).

Name

The Seoul Institute

Legal name

The Seoul Institute (서울研究院)

Website

https://si.re.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Seoul Institute (서울연구원) is a Seoul Metropolitan Government–funded urban policy research institute, established in 1987, that conducts longitudinal surveys, economic monitoring, and AI/data-driven research to support Seoul's city government, with outputs made freely available to researchers and citizens.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Policy Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Policy, Regulatory & Public Affairs Research (BPAHALAF), Monitoring, Evaluation, Performance Management & Quality Improvement (HLAJAMAJ)

Keywords

• Urban policy research
• Government think tank
• Economic sentiment indices
• Longitudinal survey research
• Open data platform

Headquarters

HQ city

Seocho

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Seoul Institute is a municipal government-affiliated research institute (출연기관) that conducts urban policy research and produces evidence-based policy recommendations, research reports, policy reports, and monographs for the Seoul Metropolitan Government. It maintains longitudinal citizen surveys (Seoul Welfare Survey, Seoul Youth Panel Survey, Seoul Survey, Household Travel Survey), publishes quarterly economic indices (Consumer Sentiment Index and Business Survey Index), and operates the Seoul Research Data Service platform plus a public Open API for distributing research outputs to researchers and citizens.

Product overview

The Seoul Institute (서울연구원) is a think tank research institute providing urban policy research and data services for Seoul. The organization operates as a unified research institution offering multiple interconnected products: the main Seoul Research Data Service platform serves as the central hub providing access to monitoring dashboards, statistical data, photo archives, and survey data. Key products include the Seoul Business Survey Index (BSI) and Seoul Consumer Sentiment Index (CSI) as economic indicators, the Survey Data archive containing Seoul Welfare Survey and Seoul Youth Panel Survey, the Photo Archive documenting urban changes, and the Seoul Future Heritage program for citizen-participatory heritage preservation. The organization also publishes Research Reports and Policy Reports, distributes visual content through Seoul Infographic+ and Card News, and provides public data access via an Open API service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seoul Research Data Service (서울연구데이터서비스) Comprehensive data platform providing access to Seoul-related research data including monitoring dashboards, maps, statistics, photo archives, and survey data on Seoul's urban development, economy, and society. Serves researchers, government agencies, and the public.
• Seoul Urban Basic Plan Monitoring (서울도시기본계획 모니터링) Dashboard monitoring Seoul's urban basic plan implementation and urban development metrics, for government planning officials and public oversight.
• Seoul Business Survey Index (서울 기업경기실사지수, BSI) Leading economic indicator surveying Seoul businesses on current business conditions and future outlook, with quarterly reports published for government, businesses, and researchers.
• Seoul Consumer Sentiment Index (서울 소비자체감경기지수, CSI) Quarterly index measuring Seoul citizens' perception of economic conditions and consumer sentiment, distributed to government, media, businesses, and public.
• Survey Data Archive (조사데이터) Archive of survey research data including Seoul Youth Panel Survey, Seoul Survey, Seoul Welfare Survey, and Household Travel Survey available for public access to researchers and institutions.
• Photo Archive (사진으로 본 서울) Photography collection documenting Seoul's urban landscape changes, categorized by themes including Seoul's mountains and rivers, urban changes, and residential area transformations, for researchers, educators, and the public.
• Seoul Future Heritage (서울미래유산) Citizen-participatory heritage preservation program identifying modern cultural heritage valued by Seoul citizens for future preservation, engaging Seoul residents as participants.
• Seoul Infographic+ (서울인포그래픽+) Visual data communication platform publishing infographics on Seoul's social, economic, and urban research findings, distributed via website and SNS to citizens and media.
• Card News (카드뉴스) Card-format news content presenting research findings and policy information in accessible visual format for citizens and general public.
• Open API Service Public API providing programmatic access to The Seoul Institute's research outputs including research reports, policy reports, books, urban studies, infographics, and card news content, for developers and researchers with registered user approval.
• Research Reports (연구보고서) Policy research reports on Seoul's urban development, economy, housing, transportation, environment, and social welfare topics, for Seoul Metropolitan Government, researchers, and citizens.
• Policy Reports (정책리포트) Policy-oriented reports providing analysis and recommendations for Seoul metropolitan government policy decisions, for government officials, policymakers, and researchers.
• Digital Atlas - Sinhan-Yangsojeondo (신한양소전도) Digital atlas created for Liberation 80th anniversary featuring historical events on Seoul's main street Sejong-daero, using image processing to present historical data and geospatial information about Seoul, for citizens, educators, and researchers.
• Deep Learning Urban Flood Monitoring System AI technology system for urban safety that uses deep learning and computer vision to analyze video feeds and detect urban flooding conditions in real time, providing early warning for Seoul Metropolitan Government and disaster response agencies.
• Seoul Population Impact Assessment System Policy research tool providing Population Impact Assessment analysis for Seoul to support effective population policy implementation, addressing ultra-low birth rates and aging society concerns, for Seoul Metropolitan Government policymakers.
• AIoT Elderly Care Technology Platform Public platform for elderly care technology using AIoT and AI to monitor isolated elderly and coordinate care services, combining AIoT sensors and AI systems to generate text-based care recommendations and monitoring alerts for welfare service providers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Established comprehensive urban monitoring systems including Seoul economic trends, consumer sentiment indices, and business surveys
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Centre for Cities (UK): U.K. urban policy research organization focused on the largest British cities. Comparable as a think tank producing data-driven urban economic and policy research with indices, surveys, and city-level analysis for government stakeholders.
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP): U.S. regional planning and policy body for the Chicago metropolitan area. Comparable as a metropolitan-scale government-affiliated research body producing data, indicators, and policy research for a single major city/region.
• Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research: Japan's major independent policy think tank with significant urban and metropolitan policy research. Comparable as an East Asian urban-policy research organization, though operating in a different national/municipal context.

Direct peers

• Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs (KIHASA): National welfare and social policy research institute. Direct peer in welfare survey research, longitudinal panel studies, and government-funded policy advisory work in social services.
• Urban Institute: U.S. nonprofit research organization focused on social and economic policy with strong urban research programs. Comparable as a data-driven, evidence-based policy research body producing indices, surveys, and policy reports for government clients.
• Seoul National University Institute for Research in Social Sciences: Leading Korean academic social-science research body. Comparable in producing policy-relevant urban, economic, and social research, with overlapping researcher talent pool and government advisory role.
• Korea Development Institute (KDI): Korea's leading economic and social policy research institute. Comparable as a government-funded think tank producing policy reports, indices, and survey-based research with overlapping economic policy and welfare research domains.
• Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements (KRIHS): South Korea's national land and urban policy research institute. Closest direct peer in mandate, scale, and Korean policy-research positioning, operating at the national level while The Seoul Institute operates at the Seoul municipal level.

Broad incumbents

• Brookings Institution: Major U.S. policy research organization with substantial metropolitan policy program. Comparable as a think tank producing urban policy reports, indices, and data-driven analysis, though at broader national and international scope.
• RAND Corporation: Global policy research institution with extensive urban, infrastructure, and social policy research. Comparable as a research organization providing evidence-based policy analysis to government clients using surveys and quantitative methods.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcjqM2T-ShNwXaVhZNKoEag
• Facebookfacebook.com/SeoulInstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/seoulinstitute_official
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-seoul-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Seoul Institute