Seoul, South Korea – The Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) announced on Wednesday that it will be introducing four new top-level domain names: .ai.kr, .io.kr, .it.kr, and .me.kr. These new domains will allow businesses and individuals to create more specific and relevant online identities, reflecting the growing importance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

KISA, the governing body responsible for managing Korea's country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), .kr, has been offering domain registration services since 2003. The new domains will be added to the existing 29 second-level .kr domains, making it easier for businesses and individuals to find a domain name that suits their specific needs.

The decision to introduce these new domains comes as a response to the increasing popularity of similar top-level domains such as .ai (Anguilla), .io (British Indian Ocean Territory), .it (Italy), and .me (Montenegro) in the global tech community. These domains have become associated with artificial intelligence, startups, technology companies, and personal branding.

"The new .kr domains will offer a more affordable and localized alternative to these existing top-level domains," said a KISA official. "For example, .ai.kr can be used to represent artificial intelligence, .io.kr can be used for input/output or digital, .it.kr can be used for information technology or even popular items, and .me.kr can be used for media or medical."