A technology session takes place at the Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water) pavilion during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, Wednesday. K-water invited the Catalan Water Partnership and its member companies to share water management technologies from Korea and Europe. Courtesy of K-water
Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) showcased its artificial intelligence (AI)-based water management technology at MWC 2026 in Barcelona last week, highlighting its competitiveness in the sector.
The initiative reflects the corporation’s strategy under K-water CEO Yun Seog-dae to strengthen water management policies aimed at addressing the climate crisis while expanding overseas, as the state-run utility this year launched a global push for AI-driven water management.
K-water aims to expand into the high-value AI and digital markets with three core technologies: water management digital twins that replicate dam operations in a virtual environment, supporting decision-making; AI-powered water treatment plants enabling autonomous operations through algorithm analysis; and Smart Water Network Management (SWNM), which uses Internet of Things technology to reduce leaks and stabilize pipelines.
K-water’s SWNM was selected as a winner at this year’s Global Mobile Awards, held during MWC, marking the first time a Korean public institution has received the honor and underscoring its globally competitive AI capabilities.
K-water also expanded partnership discussions with global tech companies such as Google, Meta and IBM at this year’s MWC, laying the groundwork for future collaboration projects.
It also signed cooperation agreements with European organizations, including the Global System for Mobile Communications Association, the Catalan Water Partnership in Spain and the research institute Eurecat, and discussed potential local applications of its AI-based water management technology with the Catalan Water Agency.
“We have reaffirmed the potential of our technology in the global digital arena, and it is now crucial to turn that into tangible business results,” Yun said. “We will link AI-driven water management technology to global partnerships and support overseas expansion by Korean water companies to strengthen Korea’s water industry and advance its goal of becoming a global AI powerhouse.”
Source: Korea Times News
