Minister attends 40th Land Transportation Day ceremony
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hong Ji-seon pledged full policy support to strengthen the competitiveness of the transportation industry at the 40th Land Transportation Day ceremony held Friday morning at Ambassador Seoul Pullman in Seoul.
In her congratulatory address, Hong said workers who operate buses, taxis and freight trucks and keep vehicles maintained and inspected form the backbone of today's land transport sector. She added that the ministry would help the industry navigate rising operating and labor costs as well as emerging challenges such as AI-based dispatch systems and autonomous freight vehicles, and would closely monitor difficulties on the ground.
Hong also said the ministry would work to boost the competitiveness of intercity and express buses and build a regulatory framework to prepare the taxi industry for the era of autonomous driving. "We will also ensure the freight vehicle safe-rate system takes firm root in the field, and improve fairness and transparency in the used-car market," she said.
At the ceremony, workers in the land transport industry adopted a resolution pledging to provide quality service with a spirit of kindness and dedication, prevent traffic accidents, and introduce advanced technology while fostering a cooperative labor-management culture.
Government decorations were also presented to those who have made outstanding contributions to the sector. The Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, the highest honor, went to Song Gyeong-tae, chief executive of Damyang Freight Transport Co. Song was recognized for 28 years of service in the freight industry, including contributions to establishing advanced systems such as the freight transport performance reporting regime, and for improving safety conditions by installing cutting-edge devices including five-channel dashcams.
The Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit went to Park Hak-do, chief executive of Yeongam Express Co., in recognition of 48 years in the bus transport industry. Park was credited with improving route bus services and bus terminal operations to enhance public transit convenience, and with reducing bus traffic accidents in Gangwon Province through traffic safety campaigns.
Jo Byeong-gyu, chief executive of Mirae Auto Trading Co., and Ham Hak-gi, chief executive of Yeongjin Transport Co., each received the Order of Industrial Service. In addition, a total of 221 people were honored, including two recipients of a presidential commendation, four of a prime ministerial commendation and 211 of a ministerial commendation from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Land Transportation Day was established to mark Nov. 14, the date in 1903 when Emperor Gojong became the first person in Korea to ride in an automobile. This year's ceremony was held under the theme "Land transport leaping forward with AI, a future together with the people."
smh@heraldcorp.com
