Preparations for the 2026 Gangneung ITS World Congress, scheduled for October in Gangneung, are entering full implementation phase.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 16th that it will host Board of Directors (BOD) and International Program Committee (IPC) meetings from the 17th over three days, inviting approximately 50 global experts in Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to Gangneung. Leaders from policy, industry, and research sectors across three continents—Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe—will attend to review congress preparation status and finalize detailed implementation plans leading up to the main event in October.
The IPC meeting on the 18th and 19th will evaluate academic papers and session proposals submitted from around the world. During the submission period from October last year through February this year, 501 papers (288 domestic, 213 international) and 143 sessions (63 domestic, 80 international) were received. The core academic program for the Gangneung World Congress will be finalized at this meeting.
Site inspections of major venues will also take place during the meeting period. Participants will visit the Speed Skating Arena and Hockey Center within Gangneung Olympic Park, as well as the convention center currently under construction. The Speed Skating Arena will house an exhibition hall with approximately 420 booths, while the Hockey Center will serve as a venue for technology demonstrations and other side events. The convention center will host major official events including the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as academic sessions.
The ITS World Congress is the largest international event in the ITS field, often called the "Transportation Olympics." Beginning in Paris, France in 1994, it has been held annually on a rotating basis across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Korea previously hosted in Seoul in 1998 and Busan in 2010, and has secured the 32nd ITS World Congress for Gangneung.
Lee Woo-je, Director General of the Roads Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "This meeting is a meaningful occasion for international leaders to directly witness Korea's ITS capabilities and congress preparation level on-site." He added, "Through close cooperation among industry, academia, research institutions, and government, we will prepare to deliver the highest-level congress ever, befitting our theme 'Beyond Mobility, Connected World.'"
