TikTok said on the 4th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with North Gyeongsang Province to boost the digital content and artificial intelligence (AI) industries.
The signing ceremony held at the North Gyeongsang Provincial Office on the 3rd was attended by Governor Lee Cheol-woo and Jae Hoon Jung, head of operations at TikTok Korea.
Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate in four areas: ▲ joint promotion of events and activities ▲ exchanges and cooperation in AI and digital content ▲ promotion of regional corporations using digital platforms ▲ training of specialists in digital content and marketing. Specific projects will be pursued sequentially after further consultations.
The agreement was signed during the "2026 North Gyeongsang International AI·Metaverse Film Festival," held from the 3rd to the 5th across Gumi, Pohang and Gyeongsan. The festival, now in its third year, received a total of 3,403 AI video contest submissions from 97 countries, more than triple the previous year.
Since the launch of the eighth elected administration, North Gyeongsang Province has fostered related industries with the goal of becoming the "Metaverse capital," including establishing the first dedicated Metaverse organization among metropolitan governments. Recently, it has expanded support to areas such as content production based on Generative AI, games and visual effects (VFX).
TikTok plans to use its platform to support the global expansion of content and corporations in the North Gyeongsang region and to cooperate in nurturing creators and digital specialists.
Jae Hoon Jung, head of operations at TikTok Korea, said, "Korean content on TikTok has become deeply embedded in the daily lives of users worldwide," adding, "Through this agreement, we will work together so that creators, corporations and future talent in North Gyeongsang can advance onto a broader global stage."
Governor Lee Cheol-woo said, "This North Gyeongsang International AI-Metaverse Film Festival, with participation from 97 countries, is a result that shows the potential for North Gyeongsang to leap forward as a global hub for AI and Metaverse content," and added, "Through cooperation with TikTok, we will broaden opportunities for North Gyeongsang's outstanding talent and content to engage with the world, and we will actively leverage this for global expansion in various fields such as K-food and tourism."