Korea-Europe Railway Safety Agreement... "Establishing a Foothold for Technical Cooperation and Export"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 17th that it has signed an "Administrative Agreement on Railway Safety-related Technologies and Regulatory Matters" with the European Union Agency for Railways.

This administrative agreement is significant as the first official collaboration channel establishing a cooperative relationship with the European Union in the railway sector. It was promoted following the formation of a consensus between the two countries on cooperation in railway safety technologies and regulatory matters during the 31st International Railway Safety Council held in Korea last October.

The main areas of cooperation include △ exchange of railway-related laws and technologies △ exchange of information on railway safety research programs △ policy exchanges related to reducing railway technology and regulatory barriers. The annex to the administrative agreement, which specifies detailed cooperation matters, concretizes the exchange of information for improving railway safety in both countries, including operational and technical risk incidents and factors, safety assessments, and mitigation measures.

Kang Hee-up, Director of the Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, “Until now, there was no communication channel between the two governments regarding technical regulatory barriers such as conformity assessment of safety standards essential for entering the European market, causing difficulties for domestic railway vehicle and component manufacturers in exports. With the signing of this administrative agreement, various tangible outcomes are expected, including overseas expansion, safety technology cooperation, and preparation for international railway connections.”

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