- Seoul to hold the "Seoul Global Challenge," an international competitive R&D
  platform, to invite global innovators for innovative solutions to various 
  urban problems 
- The first challenge is "Find Out Ways to Reduce Fine Dusts at the Subway" to
  improve the quality of life for citizens 
- The best winning team to be awarded 500 million won, and their solution to 
  be purchased and applied to Seoul's subways 
- The Seoul Global Challenge to serve as a sustainable platform to solve 
  different urban problems every year

As the first local government in Korea, the Seoul Metropolitan Government 
announced that it will hold the "Seoul Global Challenge," an international 
competitive R&D platform, to invite global innovators for better solutions to 
various urban problems. 

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20190919/2586099-1
Seoul Global Challenge 2019-2020

Through the "Seoul Global Challenge", the city government presents one of 
Seoul's urban problems for each challenge, which are highly difficult and 
highly demanded by citizens, to companies, universities and research institutes 
around the world; those interested will have an opportunity to develop 
innovative ideas and use the city as a testbed to test their solutions. Then, 
the city government will purchase the best ones through public procurement, 
implementing them right away to improve the quality of life for citizens.

The first challenge is "Find Out Ways to Reduce Fine Dusts at the Subway", 
since recently it has emerged as one of the serious problems in Seoul. Tunnels 
(five tunnels including Hyochang Park Station on the subway line 6), platforms 
(10 platforms including Itaewon Station) and trains (trains operated on the 
line 2) with high levels of fine dust are set as the three spaces where the 
challenge will be tested and applied. Selected products and solutions will be 
unveiled at the "2020 Fine Dust Expo" to be held in February next year. 

Through the "Seoul Global Challenge", the Seoul Metropolitan Government said it 
will utilize technology to improve the air quality of its subway system and 
help develop the subway industry throughout the world. 

The first challenge's proposals will be accepted online from September 9 
through November 22 at its website (www.seoul-tech.com/seoulglobalchallenge). 
The winning team will be awarded 500 million won (USD 413,560) along with the 
Seoul Mayor's Prize, while the second-place team will receive 100 million won 
(USD 82,700) in prize money. The best teams for each space (tunnel, platform, 
and train) will be given 50 million won (USD 41,350). 

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said that it will purchase the best products 
and solutions selected through the "Seoul Global Challenge" and apply them to 
subways as soon as possible to improve both the air quality of public 
transportation and the quality of life for citizens.

SOURCE: Seoul Metropolitan Government