GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

     Gangneung City, which is continuing its extensive efforts to build a cooperative system for the successful hosting of the 2026 ITS World Congress, plans to strengthen its strategic partnership with Suwon Special City, which is preparing for the 2025 ITS Asia-Pacific Forum.

     ​Mayor Kim Hong-kyu of Gangneung and Mayor Lee Jae-jun of Suwon Special City signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the successful hosting of the ITS Congress at 11:30 a.m. on February 23 (Fri.) at the Suwon Convention Center.

     ​With the 2025 ITS Asia-Pacific Forum and the 2026 ITS World Congress set to be held in Korea, the plan is to maximize synergy between the two events through joint promotion and exchanges.

     ​The two cities will work together to develop specific action plans for technology demonstrations and tours, which will be key programs of the forum and congress, and leverage their resources and capacities to the full extent such as sharing efficient operating measures for the convention center to ensure the success of the congress.

     ​Gangneung and Suwon will also test drive Suwon Special City’s XR Bus 1795, which provides media content services incorporated with local culture through a transparent display, to explore ideas for a unique technology demonstration program for the congress in Gangneung that combines stories and technology.

     ​“Gangneung and Suwon, where there is a harmonious blend of long tradition and modern culture, will lead the future of mobility by hosting the ITS Asia-Pacific Forum and ITS World Congress in 2025 and 2026, respectively. […] Based on the MOU, we will actively cooperate to create an opportunity [for Gangneung and Suwon] to emerge as central cities that lead the ITS paradigm in Korea,” said Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-kyu.

     ​Meanwhile, Gangneung City won the bid the bid to host the 2026 ITS World Congress on September 17, 2022 by presenting an intelligent transportation system (ITS) model for small and medium-sized cities, beating Taiwan’s capital Taipei after a fierce competition and becoming the third city in Korea to achieve the feat after Seoul in 1998 and Busan in 2010.

     ​On April 11, 2023, Suwon Special City won the bid for the 2025 ITS Asia-Pacific Forum by beating Auckland, New Zealand, on April 11, 2023, based on a strategy that included Korea’s future ITS vision, an ITS model for metropolitan cities, and the connection and synergy with the 2026 ITS World Congress in Gangneung.