Korean Academy of Engineering, NAEK Forum Held... Discussion on Development Directions for Road and Railway Undergrounding

Held on the 29th at EL Tower, Yangjae-dong, Seoul

The National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK) will hold the 274th NAEK Forum on the 29th at El Tower in Yangjae-dong, Seoul, under the theme "Undergrounding of Roads and Railways: Innovation and Challenges in National Land Value."

Kim Ki-nam, President of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea [Photo by Yonhap News]

This forum is a representative policy discussion meeting of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea that has been held since 1998. It takes place six times a year (on the last Monday of odd-numbered months) to identify issues related to domestic and international industrial trends, technology trends, and engineering education. Through discussions among top industry CEOs, scholars, and national policymakers, it develops and proposes sound policies based on collective intelligence, presenting strategies to enhance the competitiveness of companies and the nation.

This forum comes at a time when the Railway Undergrounding Act passed the National Assembly earlier this year, and both railway and road undergrounding projects are being actively promoted. Experts and policymakers from related fields will gather to thoroughly examine all aspects of road and railway undergrounding and discuss directions on how to proceed with related projects considering urban development.

Following the passage of the Railway Undergrounding Special Act in January, the government has selected pilot project sections and is promoting undergrounding and complex development. The undergrounding project of the Gyeongbu Expressway, which has been discussed alongside railway undergrounding, is also accelerating with a target to begin construction in 2026.

At this forum, Jo Gye-chun, president of the Korean Society for Tunnel and Underground Space, which gathers the nation's top experts, will deliver the keynote speech. Son Hoon, director of the Railway Innovation Institute (KAIST professor), will serve as the chair for the subsequent panel presentations and discussions, leading active debates on various issues related to road and railway undergrounding. Panelists include Kang Gap-saeng, a transportation specialist reporter from JoongAng Ilbo, who will address problems related to undergrounding; Bang Ki-sung, president of the Korea Disaster Prevention Association, who will discuss undergrounding safety issues and solution technologies; and Yoo Jung-hoon, professor at Ajou University, who will present opinions on transportation systems. Cha Doo-won, CEO of Sonet and a member of the NAEK Autonomous Driving Committee, will present on autonomous driving-related topics.

Kim Ki-nam, president of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea, said, "This forum will help promote the successful development of road and railway undergrounding projects, which require enormous costs. We hope to lead the global construction market by presenting a future-oriented model for undergrounding roads and railways that ensures safety, sustainability, and the recreation of above-ground spaces to improve quality of life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.