Korea Station F, set to function as a global startup hub, will be established in two locations: Seoul’s Hongdae district and Busan’s North Port area. Modeled after France’s Station F(the world’s largest startup incubator), this initiative is part of the Startup Korea policy, which the government decided last year to implement by creating two global startup hubs – one in the Seoul metropolitan area and another in a non-metropolitan area. This policy aims to foster deep-tech startups, build an open startup ecosystem centered on local regions, and propel South Korea into the global startup ecosystem.
The Hongdae area in Seoul was chosen as the metropolitan site due to its high concentration of tech startups and proximity to prestigious universities such as Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Sogang University, and Hongik University. It’s also the top area for international students and boasts convenient transportation and a global commercial district. This hub, dubbed K-Deep Tech Town, is scheduled to open in the first half of 2026 after undergoing renovations in 2025.
For the non-metropolitan location, Busan’s Bukhang area was selected. Busan has shown the highest growth rate in startup ecosystems among non-metropolitan cities, and the Bukhan neighborhood offers excellent commercial, cultural, and park infrastructure necessary to attract young talent and innovative startups.
This dual-location approach reflects the government’s commitment to balancing development between metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas while fostering a diverse and dynamic startup ecosystem across South Korea. By strategically placing these hubs in both Seoul and Busan, the initiative aims to leverage the unique strengths of each region and create a nationwide network of innovation and entrepreneurship.
