Korea Eyes Northeast Asia
Logistics Hub through Road
Construction

Holds the 14th Road Day anniversary events
This year's Road Day anniversary was celebrated with more colorful and diverse events than ever with the goal of ensuring the development of the local road and traffic industry and raising Korea's role as the Northeast Asia logistics hub.
The events, marking the 14th anniversary of Road Day, featured the 1st International Road & Traffic Expo 2005, the 1st International Road & Traffic Conference, the 7th Joint Technical Conference 2005, the Policy Debate on Road and Transportation, the International Parking Symposium and a photo exhibition.
A ceremony marking the 14th Road Day was held in the morning of July 7 with Son Hak-lai, chairman of Korean Road and Transportation Association,; Choo Byung-jik, minister of construction and transportation,; Nam In-hee, MOCT assistant minister,; Kim Han-gill, chairperson of the National Assembly Construction & Transportation Committee,; and Kim Soo-sam, vice chancellor of Hanyang University. S. Amarasekara, secretary of the Ministry of Highways of Sri Lanka, and Sommad Phosena, vice minister of the Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction of Laos were also present.
In his opening message, KRTA Chairman Son stressed leading roles in contributing to the development of the national industries through brisk information exchange and sharing.
MOCT Minister Choo said in his congratulatory message that Korea will continue to expand road networks with the goal of developing the nation as the Northeast Asian logistics hub, while focusing on environmentally-friendly road construction.
Such diverse events as the 1st Road & Traffic Expo 2005, the 1st Road and Traffic Conference and the Policy Debate on Road and Transportation were held as side events of the anniversary. Some 170 exhibitors participated in the 1st Road & Traffic Expo 2005 that served as a good opportunity to upgrade the local road and transportation industry by exchanging information on the latest products, technologies and expertise.

*The 1st International Road & Traffic Expo 2005

The exhibition was held at the fourth and fifth exhibition hall of KINTEX in Ilsan on July 7 through July 10. A total of 174 firms from Korea and abroad participated in the exhibition, held under the theme "Advanced Technology and Safety on the Road."The exhibition provided an opportunity for people of the relevant local industry to take a look at the technology developments and for relevant equipment and technology firms to publicize their advanced materials and equipment. The expo also aimed at expanding the export foundation of the local industry by introducing Korea's out-of-the-state road and transportation technologies to invited guests and buyers.

*The 1st International Road & Traffic Conference (KRTC)

The conference was held July 7-8 at the grand ballroom and conference room on the third floor of KINTEX. True to its theme: "Transport Network Connect for Korea & East Asia,?KRTC was designed to enhance Korea's role as a Northeast Asian exchanges and logistics hub. Some 40 experts took up such issues as Asia Highway Development Strategy; Highway Network Connection in the Korean Peninsula; Sustainable Traffic System and Civic Participation; Road and Pavement; Tunnel and Ground; and Structure and Bridges. About 30 tutorials were presented during the seminar.

*The Policy Debate on Road and Transportation

The policy session, held on the conference room on the third floor of KIKNTEX under the theme "National Competitiveness and Roles of Road Network,"  was attended by relevant government officials and representatives of the academic circle, industry community and civil organizations. Kim Dae-ha, chairman of the Road Technicians' Society, Rep. Kim Kyung-tae, of the National Assembly Construction and Transportation Committee, Kim Hee-guk, director in charge of road policies at the MOCT, Kim Jung-hyun, professor at Hanyang University, Kim Tong-nyung, professor at Dankook University, Kim Yon-bok, researcher at Korea Institute of Construction Technology, and Park Yong-hoon, president of Coalition of Transportation Culture participated in the discussions. nw

1. This year's Road Day events offer more programs than ever before. Above photo shows the anniversary ceremony and a view of the International Road & Traffic Expo 2005.

2. Those who have contributed to the development of the local road and transportation are decorated with orders, medals and other prizes during the Road Day anniversary.

3. The opening ceremony of the Int? Road and Traffic Expo 2005