SG Forms Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Road Restoration TF for Proactive Response to Possible North Korea-U.S. Summit

SG, a company specializing in eco-friendly infrastructure, announced on October 31 that it has established a "Road Restoration Task Force (TF)" to proactively prepare for the resumption of inter-Korean economic cooperation, as the possibility of a North Korea-U.S. summit is once again emerging.

SG stated that, amid rising expectations for the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue, it has begun practical preparations to enable an immediate response in the road infrastructure sector should inter-Korean economic cooperation be restored. In particular, since inter-Korean cooperation projects attract global attention, the company views road restoration using advanced eco-friendly technologies as a prime opportunity to showcase its technological capabilities on the international stage.

The company has assigned a diverse range of experts to the TF, including a construction manager with extensive experience in domestic asphalt concrete plant operations, a chief expert in eco-friendly asphalt concrete technology who will consider road environment, climate, and terrain, and a government affairs manager responsible for liaising with government and public institutions.

An SG representative said, "If inter-Korean economic cooperation resumes, road infrastructure will be the starting point and core foundation of inter-Korean exchanges," adding, "We have formed a dedicated team to apply the 'K-Ascon' technology, which is currently being implemented in India, Ukraine, and other countries, to the restoration of North Korean roads." The company has also begun reviewing past road construction cases and inspecting material supply chains to ensure a swift response.

The TF has appointed the head of the strategic planning division as its leader and set the review of the applicability of "EcoSteel Ascon," an eco-friendly road material utilizing steel slag, as its top priority. The company explained that this technology can minimize forest destruction and waste generation by reducing the use of natural aggregates and expanding the recycling of industrial by-products. However, the company emphasized that detailed verification of soil composition, climate, and existing pavement conditions in North Korea will require on-site investigation after the resumption of economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Gaeseong Industrial Complex Enterprises Association held a press conference at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeouido, Seoul, on October 28, urging for the resumption of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and expressing hope that an inter-Korean dialogue and economic cooperation will be restored through a North Korea-U.S. summit during the APEC period. According to a survey on inter-Korean economic cooperation-related SMEs conducted by the Korea Federation of SMEs, 76.4% of companies located in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex indicated their intention to re-enter if operations resume.

According to the Ministry of Unification, inter-Korean economic cooperation projects are initiatives to build exchange infrastructure such as road and railway connections based on inter-Korean agreements. By 2008, approximately 132.9 million dollars in in-kind loans from the South had been invested in road and railway connection projects. Of the total 1.5005 trillion won allocated for economic cooperation over the past nine years (2017-2025), only 1.4% (21.7 billion won) has been executed. This year, 60.5 billion won has been allocated, and 178.9 billion won is budgeted for next year.

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