With the recent global urban issues such as climate change, urbanization, and energy problems, the smart city was proposed as one of the solutions in urban planning. This study introduces the smart city initiatives of South Korea by examining the recent history of smart city policies and their limitations. This case study reflects the experience of one of the countries which thrived to building smart cities as their national key industries to drive economic growth. It also analyzes the trends of the smart city using big data analysis techniques. Although there are obstacles such as economic recession, failing to differentiate from the U-city, low service level than expected smart functionality, We could recognize the current status of the smart city policies in South Korea such as 1) Korean smart city development projects are actively implemented, 2) public consensus suggests that applying advanced technology and the active role of government need, 3) a comprehensive and strategic approach with the integration and application of advanced technologies is required as well, 4) investment by both private and public sectors need to deliver social improvements. This study suggests future direction of smart city polity in South Korea in the conclusion.

Abstract
 1. Introduction
 2. Understanding Background of the Smart City
    2.1. Why Smart Cities?
    2.2. Concept of the Smart City
    2.3. International Trends of the Smart City
    2.4. Smart Cities Initiatives of South Korea
 3. A big Data-Based Analyses to Smart City in South Korea
    3.1. Google Trends
    3.2. Korea News Crawler
    3.3. Shaping Tomorrow
 4. Conclusion
    4.1. Summary
    4.2. Implication
 References

• Choongik CHOI(Department of Public Administration, Kangwon National University)
• Junho CHOI(Department of Public Administration, Kangwon National University)
• Chulmin KIM(Department of Public Administration, Kangwon National University)
• Dongkwan LEE(Department of Public Administration, Kangwon National University) Corresponding Author