The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)-ROK (Republic of Korea) Smart City Fair 2019, under the slogan "Smart Cities, Connecting Korea-ASEAN," was held from Nov. 25-26 at the Busan Convention and Exhibition Center in Busan (BEXCO).

Hosted by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Busan Metropolitan City, the event had as its theme "Future and Co-prosperity" and featured four major areas that the ASEAN-ROK Innovation Showcase Summit focused on to boost Korea's economic ties with ASEAN, including the smart city sector.

With the main theme of the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit being "Partnership for Peace and Prosperity for People," the smart city fair stressed the goal of improving the lives of ASEAN citizens through modern technology and advanced gadgets while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms per the ASEAN charter.
This event was mainly organized by Korean companies such as the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, the public utility K-water, Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement, BEXCO, Busan Center for a Creative Economy and Innovation and Busan Techno Park. Highlights of the fair included exhibitions from ASEAN and Korea, conferences on the first ASEAN-ROK Ministerial Meeting on Smart City, public lectures, and business meetings between buyers and sellers.

As I saw the various smart booths at the fair, I thought of whether my home country of the Philippines could adopt such cutting-edge technologies like a robot that makes coffee in the morning or a self-driving truck for farms. The event helped me realize that the relationship between Korea and ASEAN is crucial for global cooperation, peace and prosperity. Attending the fair gave me the new perspective that not all technology and modern gadgets are bad and that they were invented and innovated to promote a more comfortable and easier lifestyle for people.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.