KB News Desk
Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is making final preparations for the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress, which will bring together experts, industry leaders and government officials to discuss the future of smart mobility in midsized cities.
This year’s congress will run from Oct. 19 to 23, with about 60,000 participants from more than 90 territories expected to attend a range of events, including ministerial talks, high-level roundtable discussions, exhibitions, demonstrations and public participation programs.
The event will also host 419 companies and institutions from around the world — including Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics and Google — as they showcase future mobility technologies. These will include demonstrations of Level 4 autonomous vehicles and parking robots, as well as exhibitions of artificial intelligence-based traffic platforms.
The main venue will be the Gangneung Convention Center, which opened in August. Equipped with a multipurpose convention hall capable of accommodating 2,100 people and 19 additional small- and medium-sized meeting rooms, the center will host the opening and closing ceremonies, gala dinner and high-level talks.
As opening day approaches, the city is carrying out final checks on facilities, transportation, safety and security.
On Tuesday, city officials reviewed preparations at Olympic Park, including exhibition halls, conference facilities and technology demonstration areas, as well as safety measures and transportation plans for visitors.
During the congress, the city will operate six shuttle bus routes linking accommodations, downtown areas and major tourist sites. City buses serving Olympic Park will run every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes, while the city will also offer the K-MaaS taxi-hailing service for foreign visitors.
With large crowds expected, police and the military have also been conducting security preparations, including multiagency counterterrorism drills.
A series of side events and public programs will be held alongside the congress. A large-scale drone performance is scheduled outside the Gangneung Convention Center on Oct. 19, while a special ice show will take place at Gangneung Hockey Centre on Oct. 22. Outdoor experience booths will feature autonomous driving, smart-city technology, drones and VR trucks.
The city is also seeking to build public interest and encourage local participation through online campaigns and promotional events at major tourist attractions.
On Sunday, events were held at Wolhwa Street and Ojukheon featuring dance, hip-hop and DJ sets, along with information and promotional materials about the congress. Similar events are scheduled for Saturday at Jumunjin Fish Market and Gangmun Beach, followed by events at Anmok Beach and Gangmun Beach on Oct. 17.
The city is also encouraging students and local organizations to take part in the congress.
“The ITS World Congress is an important opportunity for Gangneung to take the first step toward becoming a global city,” Gangneung Mayor Kim Jung-nam said at Tuesday’s meeting, urging officials to review every last detail to ensure the success of the event.
