Korea-ASEAN 'Connectivity' Focused... "Smart Mobility and Human Exchange Cooperation"

Won Hee-ryong Discusses 'Mutually Beneficial Cooperation' with ASEAN
Urges Support for ASEAN Smart Transportation Master Plan

ASEAN countries, including Indonesia, emphasized the importance of transportation and cultural connections with Korea. Korea also agreed on the significance of mutual exchanges and expressed its commitment to strengthening cooperation in the fields of smart cities and mobility.

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong (left) and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn are interviewing with reporters after a meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia on the 17th. / Photo by Noh Kyung-jo

On the 17th, Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, discussed mutually beneficial cooperation measures with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is based on the 'Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative' announced by President Yoon Suk-yeol last November during the summit.

Minister Won hoped that Korean policy know-how and excellent technology could be shared with ASEAN countries based on infrastructure cooperation such as smart cities, smart mobility including electric vehicles, and official development assistance (ODA) in land and transport.

He especially requested active support for the 'ASEAN Smart Mobility Master Plan,' which will be proposed as an agenda item at the ASEAN Transport Ministers' Meeting this November. The master plan is currently under research by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Minister Won said, "If ASEAN countries support this, we plan to proceed with follow-up programs such as electric vehicle market entry, dissemination of Korea's smart mobility systems, financial support, and joint research, which will benefit our government agencies and companies."

In response, Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said, "We hope to introduce Korea's excellent technology tailored to ASEAN countries to solve issues such as urbanization and traffic congestion and achieve mutual development." He also requested Korea, which has abundant experience and experts, to contribute to the 'ASEAN Smart City Initiative.'

Furthermore, citing tourism as an important element of the ASEAN economy, he requested an increase in flight routes. He said, "Many young people in ASEAN countries like Korea and want to visit. Korean culture is popular worldwide, and if transportation connectivity improves, human exchanges will increase, ultimately benefiting the economies of both countries."