Land ministry to host logistics-tech partnership meetup

South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Logistics Industry Promotion Foundation will host the "2026 Logistics Co-prosperity Meetup" Friday afternoon at Seoul Startup Hub Gongdeok.

Demand for logistics technology has grown steadily as the industry undergoes a paradigm shift, but limited collaboration between logistics and technology companies has prevented many promising innovations from reaching actual operations.

In response, the ministry and the foundation are jointly organizing the event to create government-led opportunities for logistics-technology partnerships and to support the advancement of the logistics industry through collaboration.

At the meetup, technology companies will present their innovations and hold one-on-one discussions with participating logistics firms on potential partnerships for technology adoption and pilot testing.

In addition, the ministry plans to link successful partnerships to government support programs, laying the groundwork for sustained cooperation and actively supporting technology adoption and on-site implementation.

To maximize the chances of forming partnerships for technology adoption and pilot testing, the ministry surveyed 10 participating logistics companies in advance and identified eight priority challenge areas where they sought collaboration with technology firms. Based on those findings, 23 technology companies with relevant capabilities were selected to participate.

The eight challenge areas identified by logistics companies include logistics robots and automation, AI- and data-driven logistics optimization, video-based anomaly detection and document automation, delivery route optimization, warehouse and logistics center automation, supply chain visibility, logistics systems such as warehouse management systems, transportation management systems and enterprise resource planning, and robotic process automation.

The event is structured around four segments: presentations by leading technology companies, case studies on proof-of-concept pilots, an introduction to government support programs, and one-on-one business consultations.

In the one-on-one consultations, technology providers and logistics companies will meet directly to discuss collaboration around the challenge areas the logistics firms have identified, while on-site advisory sessions and mentoring will help explore investment and commercialization prospects.

Companies that secure collaboration agreements at the event will receive bonus points when applying for the Logistics Efficiency Support Project and will also be provided with information on government program matching and promotional support. The Logistics Efficiency Support Project is a ministry initiative that helps logistics companies transition to smart, third-party and shared logistics operations.

Shim Ji-young, the ministry's director general for logistics policy, said the meetup was expected to "simultaneously accelerate the AI and digital transformation of the logistics industry and help technology companies enter the market." Shim added that the ministry would "continue to push forward policies that drive technological innovation and foster mutual cooperation among companies in the logistics sector."