▲As the electric vehicles participating in the grand march set off, key figures waved their hands to congratulate them on their journey. (Photo courtesy of the International Electric Vehicle Expo)


The World Electric Vehicle Association and the International Electric Vehicle Expo jointly launched the Imjin Memorandum on the 1st.
A 2-night, 3-day trip with approximately 30 electric vehicles from Gangwon-do to Chungcheongbuk-do, Yeosu, and Jeju.

"The popularization of electric vehicles has begun. The bold transformation of South Korea's electric vehicle industry is attracting global attention. “Today’s grand journey will be a stepping stone for the Korean Peninsula to become a hub for electric vehicles of peace.”

The electric vehicle journey has begun, aimed at promoting peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and fostering a national consensus on the eco-friendly future vehicle industry between the two Koreas.

The '2nd Korean Peninsula Peace Road Electric Vehicle Grand March' departed from Imjingak in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 1st and is racing towards Jeju, the 'Mecca of electric vehicles in Korea' and the 'Island of World Peace.'

This grand event, which was prepared as a major program of the 9th International Electric Vehicle Expo, was hosted by the Global Electric Vehicle Association (GEAN, Chairman Dae-Hwan Kim) and organized by the International Electric Vehicle Expo Organizing Committee.

The grand march that departed from Imjingak on this day is being participated by about 30 domestic and foreign electric vehicles, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, a pure electric model, and Tesla.

At the opening ceremony held at Imjingak Peace Nuri Park on this day, GEAN Chairman Kim Dae-hwan emphasized, “From where the meeting stopped, a long journey begins for a new meeting,” and “The path of the long journey is the path of peace, the path of ambition that connects the South and the North and dreams of a continent beyond the Korean Peninsula, a shortcut to carbon neutrality beyond climate change, and the path of electric vehicles.”

Chairman Kim said, “The Great March will continue from Halla to Baekdu, and from Baekdu to Halla, until the Peace Road is completed,” and expressed his expectations, saying, “This will be a catalyst that will bring forward the moment when we can run comfortably without stopping with just one charge.”

This event, organized under the slogan of 'One belt for electric vehicles from Baekdu to Halla, Halla to Baekdu', is expected to develop inter-Korean relations in a progressive direction based on 'green détente' and carbon neutrality. It is a program that crosses the country in an electric vehicle that leads the times.

At Imjingak, the starting point of the long journey, Kim Dae-hwan, Chairman of the World Electric Vehicle Association, Kang Tae-seon, Chairman of the Long March Executive Committee (Chairman of BYN Black Yak), Choi Yeol, Co-Chairman of the Expo Organizing Committee (Chairman of the Environmental Foundation), Ambassador Maria Castillo Fernandez of the EU Delegation to Korea, Yoo Chang-geun, Chairman of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Restart Promotion Committee, and Frank Steinleitner, former CEO of Porsche Yongsan Center, attended the long journey and celebrated.

The World Electric Vehicle Association has been working on preparations through various channels since 2018 to host the Pyongyang International Electric Vehicle Expo.

This electric vehicle rally was organized to spread consensus on hosting the Pyongyang Expo and to stimulate public interest in electric vehicles, which will lead to carbon neutrality by 2050.

The expedition party departed from Imjingak, then passed through Halla University in Gangwon-do and Inje Speedium, stayed in Gangneung, and then passed through Jecheon in North Chungcheong Province before taking a ferry to Yeosu and arriving at Jeju Port at dawn on the 3rd.

The expedition team will pass through Hallasan Mountain Road 110 and arrive at Jungmun Tourist Complex. After a parade within the complex, they will arrive at the Jeju International Convention Center, the main venue of the Expo, where they will receive a warm welcome from officials and visitors.

The World Electric Vehicle Association and the International Electric Vehicle Expo have been holding this annual event since last year in line with the goal of easing tensions between the South and the North and fostering an era of peaceful coexistence through the exchange of electric vehicles.

The 9th International Electric Vehicle Expo, which begins its four-day schedule with the arrival of the Grand March, will hold the '7th General Assembly of the World Electric Vehicle Council and EV Forum' on the first day to share information on the global electric vehicle industry ecosystem and carbon neutrality efforts.

The opening ceremony will feature keynote speeches, special speeches, and a special opening congratulatory speech by former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

This is the first grand opening after the two-year social distancing period due to COVID-19 was lifted.This year's expo, a major international event, will feature on-site and virtual exhibitions, as well as conferences with over 100 sessions on various topics, including the evolving e-mobility industry, including electric vehicles, UAM, and electric ships, as well as renewable energy.

In particular, B2B meetings and PR shows that will serve as venues for companies' actual business, as well as test drive experiences for the electric vehicle Ioniq 5 and hydrogen vehicle Nexo, will be held.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, visitors must pre-register in accordance with quarantine guidelines, and strict social distancing and capacity limits will be enforced at each venue.