SKT Receives Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award for Contribution to UAM Commercialization

On the afternoon of the 28th, at LG Science Park in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, at the opening ceremony of the "40th Anniversary International Conference of the Korean Transport Society & the 10th International Public Transport Policy Forum," Eo Myeong-so, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (right), presented the "Mobility Innovation Award" to Shin Yong-sik, head of SKT Connect Infrastructure CO (left). Photo by SKT

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Su-yeon] SK Telecom announced on the 29th that it received the ‘Mobility Innovation Award,’ equivalent to the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Commendation, at the opening ceremony of the ‘40th Anniversary International Academic Conference of the Korean Society of Transportation & the 10th International Public Transportation Policy Forum’ hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korean Society of Transportation.

SKT began preparations for the commercialization of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in 2019 and has actively participated in establishing a public-private cooperation foundation, including joining as a founding member of the government-led consultative body ‘UAM Team Korea’ in 2020.

Additionally, to contribute to the successful commercialization and industrial growth of domestic UAM, SKT collaborated with the government and related organizations by participating in the ‘UAM Team Korea Strategy Forum’ and the ‘Mobility Innovation Committee’ to help establish laws, systems, and policies. By sharing the private sector’s preparation status and plans related to UAM and actively proposing policy support measures, SKT contributed to the formulation of future-oriented mobility policies.

SKT continues activities to increase social acceptance of UAM and secure public support at the private level. At the Mobile World Congress 2022 (MWC22) held in Barcelona, Spain, this year, SKT presented the future vision of UAM services through an immersive experience booth. Domestically, it contributed to raising social interest in UAM’s advantages, such as solving urban transportation problems and reducing greenhouse gases, through events like the World IT Show and the Busan International Motor Show.

Last year, SKT established a company-wide UAM Task Force (TF) to consolidate capabilities aimed at mobility innovation in Korea. Furthermore, SKT plans to actively participate in domestic UAM research and demonstration by submitting a proposal for participation in the first phase of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s UAM demonstration project, ‘K-UAM Grand Challenge,’ together with Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems, Korea Meteorological Industry Technology Institute, and Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corporation.

SKT operates a regular consultative body led by the CEOs of both companies with Joby Aviation, a global partner in UAM aircraft and operations from the United States, and aims to secure unique research data from the early stages of domestic UAM demonstration based on collaborative achievements.

Shin Yong-sik, head of SK Telecom’s Connect Infrastructure CO, stated, “SKT will actively contribute to achieving Korea’s 2025 UAM commercialization goal based on advanced information and communication technology (ICT) capabilities and the synergy of the K-UAM Dream Team consortium.”