The Korean Regional Development Association (KRDA), a prestigious academic society with deep roots in regional planning and development research, held its 2025 Spring Academic Conference at
Seoul National University under the theme “Balanced Regional Development in the Era of Hyperconnection and Intelligence.” The event was co-hosted with the Council of Mayors, Governors, and District Chiefs of Korea, the Green Bio Science & Technology Institute of Seoul National University, and the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology (KICT).
The association, currently led by Professor HungBack Lim of the Department of International Development Cooperation at Sungkyul University, organized more than ten thematic sessions during the day. Topics ranged from AI-based urban and regional development strategies to regional balance policies, spatial transformations driven by marketization in North Korea, and the interconnection between international migration and development. The event drew a wide audience of scholars, graduate students, and policymakers.
Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Professor Chang-Heum Byun of Sejong University, participated actively and presented a paper, offering insights into spatial policy through the lens of both academic expertise and administrative experience. Also attending was Professor Taewan Kim of the University of Sharjah, a notable political figure turned academic, who contributed to discussions on global university engagement and the internationalization of regional development.
The association has produced many prominent figures in academia and government, including the current Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Professor Mireung Song. Other distinguished alumni include Professor Seong-Woo Lee of Seoul National University, Professor Jong-Hoon Park of Hanbat National University, Professor Su-Yeon Nam of Sungkyul University, and Professor Jeong-Hoon Kee of Myongji University. Their continued engagement in research and policy underscores the association’s vital role in shaping the future of Korea’s regional development strategy.
The 2025 Spring Conference not only addressed the challenges of a hyperconnected and intelligent society but also reaffirmed the Korean Regional Development Association’s central position in advancing inclusive, balanced, and forward-looking regional policies in Korea and beyond.
