The 10th A3Foresight Symposium on Empowering the Lifestyle and Well-being of Elders with Intelligent IoT

The A3Foresight symposium is supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, with the encouragement of regular in-person symposiums between the three countries. To date, nine such symposiums have been successfully hosted, rotating among the three nations. We are now pleased to announce that the 10th symposium will be held in Korea.

This symposium will serve as a vital platform for researchers from the three countries to engage in in-depth discussions on emerging topics, including intelligent IoT technology, well-being, and care. To promote quality discussions, the in-person attendance and face-to-face interaction of participants are crucial. Your presence and participation are highly appreciated.

Participation

Call for Presentation

Please submit your presentation details in the registration form: https://forms.gle/45TFzSCc6Xme6khh6

Presentations at this symposium are intended to foster interaction and discussion with a particular emphasis on the context of care. Therefore, we kindly request that presenters prepare at least one slide dedicated to interpreting their research findings and implications within the context of care.

Registration for Participation

There is no registration fee for the members of A3Foresight project.

If you are interested in participating in the symposium, please share your details using the following registration form: https://forms.gle/M16AuUz61zXwyJjH9

Schedule (tentative)

The first day of the symposium (July 2nd) will be dedicated to CARE Day. Under the theme “Computing Technologies to Support Care Practices”, we will host invited talks and a keynote from experts outside the computing domain. Some presentations will be in Korean. While attendance during CARE Day is optional, those arriving early are warmly welcome to join. You can find the schedule of CARE Day here.

July 3 (Thursday)

July 4 (Friday)

Venue

City | Busan, Republic of Korea

Busan (Korean: 부산, 釜山, pronounced [pusan]), officially Busan Metropolitan City, is South Korea's second most populous city after Seoul, with a population of over 3.3 million as of 2024. It is the economic, cultural and educational center of southeastern South Korea, with its port being South Korea's busiest and the sixth-busiest in the world. The surrounding "Southeastern Maritime Industrial Region" (including Ulsan, South Gyeongsang, Daegu, and part of North Gyeongsang and South Jeolla) is South Korea's largest industrial area. The large volumes of port traffic and urban population in excess of 1 million make Busan a Large-Port metropolis using the Southampton System of Port-City classification. As of 2019, Busan Port is the primary port in Korea and the world's sixth-largest container port.

Region | Haeundae-gu, Busan

Haeundae-gu is a district in the east of Busan. It is one of the country's main tourist destinations. It offers Korea's most famous beach, upmarket hotels, the newest shops and luxury apartments. Due to the relatively recent development of the area, it lacks the tradition and history that can be found in the rest of the city. Although a little distance away to the east, the Songjeong area with its impressive beach is also part of the Haeundae-gu district. (Read more)

Hotel | Central Hotel Haeundae

Prime Location: Located 25km from Gimhae International Airport, the hotel is a short walk (~1 min) from Haeundae Beach and near attractions like Dalmaji Hill.

Comfortable Accommodations: Each room includes air-conditioning, a private bathroom, and modern amenities such as a refrigerator and TV.

Top-notch Facilities: Private check-in and check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and full-day security ensure a pleasant stay. Additional facilities include a business area and fitness center. Guests can enjoy a rooftop swimming pool and free WiFi.

Sightseeing in Busan

Dongbaekseom Island (동백섬) | 1.8km from the venue | 30 minutes by walk

Dongbaekseom Island (Island of Camellias) is an island located off one end of Busan's famous Haeundae Beach. Although the years of sedimentation have connected the island to the mainland, Dongbaekseom was originally an island and is still referred to as one. (Read more)

Coastal Trail ▪ 450m ▪ 15 minutes

Circular Trail ▪ 930m ▪ 25 minutes

Igidae Cliff (이기대) | 9km from the venue | 80 minutes by bus and walk

Igidae Cliff is a geological park located along the southern coast of Busan. Formed by volcanic activity dating back 80 million years to the Cretaceous period, the accumulated lava, volcanic ash, and other rocks have been eroded by waves, creating cliffs, caves, and other formations. Along the coastal trail leading to Oryukdo, visitors can appreciate various geological and topographical landscapes, including copper mines and pothole. (Read more)

Igidae Coastal Walkway ▪ 3.95㎞ ▪ Average 2 hours

Gwangalli Beach (광안리해수욕장) | 6km from the venue | 40 minutes by bus

Located to the west of Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach is 1.4 kilometers long and 25~110 meters wide, and is famous for its fine sand. The area underwent a water purification process, which led the ecosystem to flourish in the nearby river waters. In addition to the beachfront, the Gwangalli area is filled with delicious restaurants and romantic cafes, as well as stores selling famous fashion brands. The area has plenty to offer, but many people come in the evening to take in the bright lights of Gwangandaegyo Bridge, stretching across the horizon. (Read more)

Coastal Walkway ▪ 1.2㎞ ▪ Average 20 minutes

Gamcheon Culture Villiage (감천문화마을) | 20km from the venue | 80 minutes by bus

Gamcheon Culture Villiage was formed by refugees of the Korean war who built their houses in staircase-fashion on the foothills of a coastal mountain. The many alleys that cut through this community are vibrantly decorated with murals and sculptures created by the residents. Today, it is a popular attraction in Busan visited by a number of tourists every year. (Read more)

Main Road ▪ Average 40 minutes

Core Course ▪ Average 80 minutes

Stamp Course▪ Average 80 minutes

Shinsegae Centum City (신세계 센텀시티) | 4km from the venue | 24 minutes by bus

Shinsegae Centum City Department Store is registered in the Guinness World Records as the largest shopping complex in the world, offering a full range of entertainment options, from an ice rink to movie theater, golf range, and spa. Shops offer everything from womenswear and menswear to childrens clothing brands, cosmetic shops, sporting goods, and more. (Read more)

Transportation

Entry to Korea

International travelers to South Korea must acquire either a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) or a Visa.

Check this site to determine if you need a K-ETA or Visa. This will depend on your citizenship. (As of 28th May, Japanese attendees are eligible for K-ETA. Chinese attendees should apply for a Visa.)

If you need a K-ETA, you must apply for it and receive approval 72 hours prior to departure. You are strongly advised to apply for the K-ETA at least one week before your intended departure. The applicant fee is KRW 10,000 (approximately 8 USD).

If you are not eligible for a K-ETA, you must apply for a Visa (commonly a Short Term General Visa, C-3-1) for your travel to South Korea.

Visa Support Letters

Please email seungchul@nclab.kaist.ac.kr with the name(s) of the attendee(s).

Option 1: Fly to Busan Directly (Recommended)

Busan's airport is Gimhae International Airport (PUS). It is well connected to destinations across Asia as well as within Korea. It is easy to reach the Central Hotel Haeundae, where the symposium will be held, from Gimhae Airport:

Taxi: Between 30 minutes to one hour, cost of 25,000-40,000 KRW (~20-30 USD).
Subway: 1 hour 15 minutes, cost 2,700 KRW (~2 USD) from Gimhae International Airport to Haeundae Subway Station

Please see full travel guidance on the airport website.

Option 2: Fly to Seoul → Transit to Busan

Seoul has two international airports. Most international travelers arrive at Incheon (ICN), but there are also connections to Gimpo (GIM) from other parts of Asia. You can get to Busan by:

Flight: If you fly on Korean Air, you can connect directly from Incheon Airport to Busan Gimhae Airport. Otherwise, you must transfer from Incheon Airport to Gimpo Airport (33-minute AREX train ride, 4,000 KRW, 2.5USD). There are frequent flights from Gimpo Airport to Busan Gimhae Airport.
Train: You can take the AREX express (10000 KRW, 51 mins) or all-stop subway train (2000 KRW, ~1 hour) to Seoul Station and catch a KTX bullet train to Busan Station (50,000-60,000 KRW, 35-40 USD). There are trains as frequently as every 10-15 minutes, and the journey takes approximately 2.5-3 hours. On the weekends, it is advisable to book tickets in advance.
Bus: Not recommended!