The SKT consortium is actively supporting the bid to host the Busan Expo and has expressed its commitment to utilizing future transportation systems, such as UAM, for the convenience of visitors.

The Busan 2030 World Expo Bid Committee announced on the 6th that SKT, Hanwha Systems, Korea Airports Corporation, and Tmap Mobility have signed a business agreement to bid for the 2030 Busan World Expo.

UAM is a next-generation urban air mobility system that integrates advanced ICT technologies and operates on eco-friendly energy. It utilizes aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing at low to medium altitudes of 300 to 600 meters in conjunction with ground transportation systems. It is expected to resolve environmental issues and traffic congestion in metropolitan areas.

The government is pursuing policies with the goal of commercialization by 2025, but according to the industry, there are successive forecasts that it will take at least 10 years to actually achieve commercialization.

In the bid proposal submitted to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) last September, the bid committee presented a plan to utilize future transportation systems, such as UAM, for the convenience of visitors at the 2030 Busan World Expo.

Accordingly, the consortium stated that it would provide immersive UAM content at major events such as the International Bureau of Exhibitions (BIE)'s on-site inspection of Korea in April and the 'International Climate Industry Expo' in May, and actively participate in bidding activities using UAM simulators at domestic and international exhibitions such as MWC (Spain).

SKT formed the 'K-UAM Dream Team Consortium' with Korea Airports Corporation, Hanwha Systems, and others to commercialize K-UAM and has been participating in the first phase of the 'K-UAM Grand Challenge,' a UAM demonstration project organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, since this year. A UAM virtual experience simulator was showcased at the Busan International Motor Show last July and at CES in the U.S. this January.
In addition, last month, SKT solidified its UAM business cooperation with its strategic partner, global UAM company Joby Aviation, through executives from both companies in the U.S.

Through this agreement, Korea Airports Corporation leverages its global aviation industry network, while TMAP Mobility systematizes a transportation vision based on mobility data and platform operation capabilities. If Hanwha Systems succeeds in hosting the Expo, it will participate in the development of Busan Expo-specific UAM routes and navigation control solutions connecting major hubs in Busan and the exhibition venue.

Yoon Sang-jik, Secretary General of the Bid Committee, stated, “The convenient transportation infrastructure of the host city Busan is a unique strength of the 2030 Busan World Expo,” adding, “By utilizing UAM in our bid activities, we can effectively demonstrate Korea’s technology and our commitment to realizing a carbon-neutral Expo.”

SK Telecom CEO Yoo Young-sang stated, “We will actively support the 2030 Busan World Expo with SKT’s capabilities so that it can solve humanity’s problems and present a new vision for the future,” adding, “By utilizing UAM, an innovative future mode of transportation, we will make it the first ‘Net Zero’ Expo with zero carbon emissions.”

Meanwhile, the decision on the host city for the 2030 World Expo will take place in late November of this year.