New Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport: "Expanding a Balanced Transportation Network... Focusing on Innovation and Safety"

Inauguration Ceremony of Vice Minister Hong Jiseon of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Hong Jiseon, the newly appointed Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated on the 2nd, "I will lay the foundation for balanced prosperity between the Seoul metropolitan area and the provinces by expanding an equitable transportation network."

At her inauguration ceremony held at the Government Sejong Complex on this day, Vice Minister Hong emphasized, "Based on my experience in Gyeonggi Province, I will meticulously oversee everything from policy design to implementation to promote balanced regional development and the expansion of transportation infrastructure." Vice Minister Hong, who passed the regional civil service exam, has mainly worked in Gyeonggi Province. During the period when President Lee Jaemyung served as governor, she handled roles directly related to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, such as Director of the Rail, Port, and Logistics Bureau and Director of Urban Housing. After serving as Vice Mayor of Namyangju City from January 2024, she was appointed as the Second Vice Minister last month.

Hong Jiseon, the newly appointed Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, is speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 2nd. Provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

Vice Minister Hong said, "I will accelerate transportation innovation," adding, "I will improve outdated regulations so that transportation businesses such as buses and taxis, which have supported our economy, do not fall behind in the wave of change." With regard to autonomous vehicles, which are being promoted at the pan-government level, she announced plans to expand from this year's pilot smart city to a nationwide rollout. This is one of the areas overseen by the Second Vice Minister. She also expressed her intention to enhance domestic technological capabilities in future core industries such as drones and urban air mobility (UAM), thereby expanding the scope of mobility services.

As the central government agency responsible for transportation policy, she placed strong emphasis on safety. She stated, "When it comes to the safety of citizens and transportation workers, I believe excessive preparation is better than insufficient readiness," and added, "To prevent the recurrence of similar (transportation) accidents, I will thoroughly inspect accident sites and policies, and strive to discover new safety policies and prevent traffic accidents so that the public can travel with greater peace of mind in a safer environment."

She also called for working from the perspective of the citizens affected by policy decisions. Vice Minister Hong said, "Since the work of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has a greater impact on people's lives than any other ministry, it is time to demonstrate real changes that meet the public's expectations," and advised, "We should reflect on whether we are working from the supplier's perspective of land management and transportation infrastructure construction, rather than from the consumer's viewpoint of housing stability and convenience of movement."