Civil servant built the system in-house using generative AI — a first in Seoul
Prospective retailers can enter a planned location and instantly see nearby shops and estimated walking distances
Rising demand from 167 pre-consultations prompted the expansion; in-house development saved about 20 million won in costs
Songpa-gu has developed and launched an online system that uses generative AI to let users check whether a planned tobacco retail location meets the required distance from existing shops — the first such system in Seoul.
The tobacco retailer pre-designation distance-check system, built in-house and operational since Friday, allows users to mark a planned store location on a map and automatically receive the positions of nearby tobacco retailers along with the shortest estimated walking distance.
To be designated as a tobacco retailer, an applicant must be located at least a set distance from existing shops. Songpa-gu applies a minimum walking distance of 100 meters for general retail outlets and 50 meters for in-building outlets.
Previously, prospective business owners had difficulty determining the locations of nearby shops and the actual walking distances in advance, meaning they risked financial losses if they signed a lease or prepared a facility only to be denied designation.
To address the problem, Songpa-gu launched a consulting service in March last year in which a civil servant would verify in advance whether a location met the distance requirements. A total of 167 consultations have been conducted since then, with monthly inquiries rising from about 10 initially to 25 recently.
As resident demand grew, the district expanded the service from in-person consultations to an online platform. Applicants can now check distance information for a planned location directly on a dedicated website without visiting the office or submitting a consultation request.
The system draws on public data from Seoul and nationwide tobacco retailer registries, integrated with map and pedestrian-route information. It also covers shops in neighboring districts, not just Songpa-gu, allowing users in border areas to check nearby retailers across administrative boundaries.
Notably, the civil servant responsible for tobacco retailer designation built the system entirely in-house using generative AI. By solving a problem identified through day-to-day work without outsourcing to an external firm, the district saved roughly 20 million won ($14,900) in development costs.
The system is expected to help prospective business owners assess their chances of meeting distance requirements before signing a lease, reducing the risk of financial loss. Civil servants will also be able to review nearby shops and estimated walking routes before conducting on-site inspections, improving administrative efficiency.
"It is important to provide the information people need in advance so that residents do not suffer unnecessary financial losses while preparing to open a store or start a business," Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said. "We will continue to actively use new technologies such as AI and public data to deliver a service-oriented administration that protects residents' time and assets."
The system is available through the Songpa-gu tobacco retailer pre-designation distance-check service website. The distance information provided online is for reference only; final designation is determined after an on-site investigation by the responsible civil servant.
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