The Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) held a forum to discuss the direction of innovation and future vision for the rail industry ahead of the integration of high-speed rail in September.
KORAIL announced on the 25th that it co-hosted the 'Future Rail Forum' with the Korean Association for Public Administration on the 24th at its headquarters in Daejeon.
The forum aimed to share the benefits of high-speed rail integration for the public and discuss the future vision of the rail industry. It also addressed how to respond to socio-economic changes, including the transition to artificial intelligence and mobility.
More than ten experts from academia and industry participated as panelists. They discussed the direction that South Korea's rail system should take under the theme 'Innovation and Future of Korean Rail State-Owned Enterprises.'
In the first session, Hong Young-ho, head of KORAIL's Integrated Strategy Office, presented on 'High-Speed Rail Integration and Innovation in State-Owned Enterprises.' Kim Kyung-taek, a researcher at the Korea Transport Institute, spoke on 'Integration of Rail Subsidiaries and Innovation in State-Owned Enterprises.'
The second session continued discussions on 'The Future Direction of the Rail Industry.' Professor Yoon Sung-il from Kangwon National University suggested key directions for rail policy aimed at regional balanced development, while Professor Jeong Won-hee from Konyang University presented on the direction of the rail industry in light of AI and mobility changes.
The subsequent panel discussion covered topics such as innovation and sustainability in integrated rail services, enhancing the competitiveness of the rail industry amid changes in the AI and mobility ecosystem, and establishing rail policies for regional balanced development.
As discussions on high-speed rail integration extend beyond mere operational restructuring to include expanding seat supply, unifying services, and restoring the public nature of rail, ensuring that the public can feel the benefits of integration is seen as a key challenge.
KORAIL President Kim Tae-seung stated, “We are listening to the insights of various experts and the voices of the public to make high-speed rail integration the 'completion of Korean rail.' Above all, we aim to enhance the convenience of transportation that the public experiences in their daily lives and restore the public nature of rail so that everyone can travel conveniently and safely, realizing 'greater happiness together through unified rail.'”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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