Congress billed as 'Olympics of transport science and culture'
Gangwon Province shifts related events to Gangneung to build momentum
Hyundai, LG Electronics, Google among 419 firms and institutions attending
The Gangneung ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) World Congress will be held at Gangneung Olympic Park from Oct. 19 to 23, drawing more than 60,000 participants from about 90 countries.
Gangwon Province announced Wednesday that, with just over a month until the opening of the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, it has activated a full on-site support system centered on its administrative support headquarters.
The event is billed as an Olympics of science, technology and culture, featuring ministerial meetings, academic conferences, cutting-edge transport technology exhibitions, technical demonstrations and cultural programs.
A total of 419 domestic and international companies and institutions — including Hyundai, LG Electronics and Google — will participate, showcasing future transport technologies such as Level 4 self-driving car demonstrations, parking robot displays and AI traffic platform exhibitions.
The administrative support headquarters, led by the vice governor for economic affairs, will operate support systems across transportation, public relations, safety, fire services, medical care, roads and tourism.
A comprehensive on-site operations center will run throughout the congress to share real-time updates across all areas, with plans to coordinate rapid responses with Gangneung city and the organizing committee should any unexpected situations arise.
To build public enthusiasm and increase attendance, the province will direct meetings, training sessions and workshops held by provincial and municipal offices, affiliated agencies and public institutions to take place in Gangneung and the Yeongdong region during the congress period.
Organizers also plan to guide congress attendees to exhibition halls and technology demonstrations, with the aim of boosting local accommodation, tourism and consumer spending.
About 400 participants from 10 events — including the Gangwon Advanced Traffic Safety Culture Workshop — are already scheduled to visit the congress venue, and the province plans to expand the number of linked events through additional demand surveys.
"With the congress now just over a month away, we will shift from a preparation-focused support system to a field execution system," said Lee Jong-gu, director of the Gangwon Province construction and transportation bureau. "We will work closely with Gangneung city, the organizing committee, municipalities and public institutions to ensure a safe and successful congress."
Starting 30 days before the congress opens, the province will launch an intensive promotional campaign using a range of channels including the official website, SNS, electronic billboards and transit advertising.
Public institutions, associations and civic groups will also be asked to promote the congress and encourage participation, to raise public awareness and a sense of engagement.
On Friday, the province will hold the second preparatory briefing of its administrative support headquarters to review readiness and outstanding issues across all areas, and to finalize the operations center plan and each department's roles and coordination framework for the congress period.
abc@heraldcorp.com
