Hong, Soon-man, a former vice mayor of Incheon, has been named CEO and President of Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL).
Mr Hong received a master’s and doctor’s degrees from Washington State University and has held key positions including Head of Aviation Safety Headquarters, Transport Policy Office, Railway Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Transport, Maritime Affairs, and recently President of the Korea Railroad Research Institute. His expertise in the rail sector and knowledge on a wide range of transport policy and technology are already proving that he is the most-qualified person for this position.
“I will dedicate all of my time and effort to transform KORAIL into the world’s top global rail operator, fully taking its role and responsibility as an eco-friendly public transportation,” said Mr Hong in his inaugural address.
Mr Hong revealed his strong commitment to safety management as the top priority in his agenda. He will run the Safety Management Division under his direct supervision to remove safety weaknesses and adopt the best safety practices of other transport systems.
In addition he emphasised the importance of creativity, ingenuity, innovative technologies such as the early adoption of double-decker passenger trains and double-stack freight trains, and lastly performance and capability-based personnel management. Mr Hong also motivated all employees to usher in a new era of KORAIL armed with global competitiveness.
Mr Hong set five initiatives to achieve his goals; strategic work system, advanced safety system, exceptional customer service, sustainable development structure, and productive labour-management relations. Moreover, he underscored the company’s active role in opening an era of Continental Railways and pledged to share visions among nations as well as closely cooperate for the co-prosperity of World Railways.
Mr Hong knows UIC very well thanks to his past position at Korea Railroad Research Institute. UIC congratulations him on his appointment and wishes to continue the longstanding collaboration and personal relationship that have been developed between Mr Hong and Mr Loubinoux.
(Source: Korail)
