ITSWC KOREA: Chairman of ITS Korea delivers World Congress welcome message

In this message, Heo Cheong-hoe, Chairman of the Intelligent Transport Society of Korea (ITS Korea), welcomes attendees to next week’s ITS World Congress in Gangneung.

“On behalf of ITS Korea, I extend a warm welcome to all ITS professionals from Korea and around the world joining us for the 2026 ITS World Congress in Gangneung.

Today, ITS is advancing rapidly as it converges with cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and autonomous driving. Its impact goes well beyond making transport safer and more efficient. By linking people, vehicles, roads, and cities into a single, integrated transport system, ITS is opening new possibilities for the future of mobility.

“Holding the Congress in Gangneung carries special meaning — advanced transport services should not be the privilege of large cities alone”

This World Congress is a place to share technologies and experiences from across the globe, and to chart together the future direction of transport and mobility. Holding the Congress in Gangneung carries special meaning — advanced transport services should not be the privilege of large cities alone. Everyone, regardless of the size of the city they live in, deserves safe and convenient mobility. Gangneung is a Living Lab that demonstrates exactly this.

Aerial view of a modern conference centre with a sloped green roof and solar panels in the foreground, surrounded by car parks and two large white domed arena buildings, with hills and a town beyond — A new conference centre has been constructed on Gangneung’s Olympic Park in time to host the ITS World Congress as its first major event

I invite you to experience Korea’s ITS technologies and services first-hand, and to discover new transport service models designed for small and mid-sized cities. I hope this gathering will spark new cooperation and business opportunities among governments, institutions, companies, and experts from Korea and abroad.

ITS Korea will also seize this Congress as a springboard for the next leap forward of Korea’s ITS industry. We will promote technological innovation and cross-industry convergence, and expand exchanges between domestic and international companies and institutions to create new opportunities.

Wide-angle aerial view of the conference centre complex and surrounding arenas, set among green fields and hills, with a town and mountains visible in the distance — An aerial view of the Gangneung complex that will welcome delegates to next week’s ITS World Congress

In Gangneung in 2026, let us share the world’s technologies and experiences, and together pave the way toward a future of mobility for all. I kindly ask for your continued interest and active participation. I look forward to welcoming you in Gangneung.

Thank you.

Heo Cheong-hoe

Chairman, Intelligent Transport Society of Korea (ITS Korea)