"I Will Become Korea Railroad Walking Together with the People," Inauguration of New President Na Hee-seung

Korea Railroad's new President Na Hee-seung is emphasizing world-class safety and management improvement to employees at the inauguration ceremony on the 26th. Photo by Korea Railroad

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] “We will improve the fundamental organizational structure to overcome management crises, prioritize robust quarantine and safety measures, and become Korea Railroad that walks together with the people.” This was the key message delivered by Korea Railroad’s new President Na Hee-seung (55, photo) at his inauguration ceremony on the 26th.

President Na held the inauguration ceremony at the Daejeon headquarters building and began his term as the 10th President of Korea Railroad. At the ceremony, he presented management improvement to address the worsened financial situation due to the impact of COVID-19, prioritizing quarantine activities and railway operations that ensure the safety of railway passengers as the top tasks.

President Na stated, “I will focus on leading technological innovation and process improvement within the organization to secure Korea Railroad’s financial soundness,” and emphasized, “Above all, by promoting station area development projects such as public housing, urban regeneration, and transfer centers to diversify the utilization of railway assets, we will reduce the national debt burden currently borne by Korea Railroad.”

He also said, “Korea Railroad will strive to build a solid railway quarantine safety network that prioritizes public safety,” adding, “Our goal is to establish a total quarantine system for the With-Corona era, prepare an active quarantine response system, and achieve world-class railway safety through the introduction of data-driven smart railway safety management technology.”

President Na also expressed his stance on the ongoing discussions about integration with SR. He said, “The integration discussions with SR should focus on strengthening the public nature and safety of railways and enhancing the convenience of the people,” and added, “Korea Railroad will closely cooperate in the government’s policy decision-making process to derive a desirable railway industry restructuring direction while prioritizing public interest.”

In particular, President Na emphasized, “We will also place great importance on strengthening inter-Korean network cooperation in line with the opening of a new continental railway renaissance era.”

He continued, “If the inter-Korean railway is opened and international mobility rights are secured, the sustainability of inter-Korean cooperation can also be guaranteed,” expressing his determination by saying, “Through this, Korea Railroad will accelerate the restoration of the spatial connection between the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, which has been severed, and contribute to laying the groundwork for activating new economic initiatives and peace processes on the Korean Peninsula.”

Meanwhile, President Na is from Gwangju and graduated from Hanyang University with a degree in Mechanical Design. He earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST.

His connection with railways began in 1997 when he joined the Korea Railroad Research Institute, and he has since served as head of the Inter-Korean Railway Project Group and director of the Continental Railway Research Office.