Suwon and Gangneung Cities, Hosts of ITS Asia-Pacific and World Congresses, to Cooperate for Successful Events

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City, which hosted the '2025 ITS Asia-Pacific Congress,' and Gangneung City in Gangwon Province, which hosted the '2026 ITS World Congress,' have agreed to actively cooperate to successfully host both congresses.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun and Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-gyu signed a memorandum of understanding at Suwon Convention Center on the 23rd and pledged to cooperate.

In the agreement signed that day, Suwon and Gangneung decided to jointly promote the Asia-Pacific and World Congresses at ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) events held domestically and internationally, and to hold citizen participation and exchange events in both cities during each congress period. They also agreed to cooperate in ITS technology demonstrations and site visits, and to share measures for efficient operation and revitalization of convention centers.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "I hope the ITS Asia-Pacific Congress and World Congress will serve as an opportunity to showcase Korea's strength," and added, "Let Suwon and Gangneung cities prepare for the congresses by sharing wisdom with each other." He further expressed hope that "Suwon and Gangneung are close neighbors, and this congress will be an opportunity for the two cities to cooperate more closely."

Gangneung Mayor Kim Hong-gyu said, "Let the two cities actively cooperate to ensure that the ITS Asia-Pacific Congress and World Congress are held successfully," and stated, "Let us make these two congresses an opportunity to promote Korea's status."

The 2025 ITS Asia-Pacific Congress, co-hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Suwon City, is scheduled to be held at Suwon Convention Center in May 2025. The event will feature high-level meetings, academic sessions, exhibitions and business consultations, technology demonstrations and site visits, and special programs. An estimated 10,000 participants from about 20 countries are expected to attend.

The ITS Asia-Pacific Congress, which began in Japan in 1996, is an international conference held by Asia-Pacific nations to promote public-private technology exchange related to ITS, understand market trends, and strengthen cooperation between countries and companies. The congress will be held in Korea for the first time in 23 years since the 5th Seoul ITS Asia-Pacific Congress in 2002.

Gangneung City proposed a 'small and medium-sized city ITS model' and won the bid to host the 2026 ITS World Congress, beating Taiwan's Taipei, and becoming the third domestic city to host the event following Seoul in 1998 and Busan in 2010.

ITS is a system that applies advanced information and communication technology to transportation means and facilities to enhance safety and convenience. Examples of typical ITS include bus information systems and traffic information systems.