LX seeks to be global spatial info. provider

By Lee Hyo-sik

The Korea Cadastral Survey Corp. (LX), the state-run firm offering cadastral survey services, is transforming itself into a comprehensive geospatial information provider, according to its CEO. The public enterprise plans to create a global spatial information hub in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province ― its home since November of 2013.

In a recent interview with The Korea Times, LX CEO Kim Young-pyo said the company will select a new name in June in accordance with its changing role.

“We will be named the `Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corp.’ to better reflect what we are doing and what we will do in the future,’’ Kim said. “Since I was appointed to head LX on Nov. 5, 2013, I have been trying to overhaul its functions so employees can more effectively cope with the rapidly changing business environment.”

The CEO said LX’s research institute and employee training center are undergoing drastic changes to strengthen the company’s role in creating and applying a geospatial information database. “Those who seek to become part of the LX family have to study statistics for an entrance exam. Current employees are also encouraged to study statistics and other relevant subjects.’’

LX mostly used to provide cadastral survey services to property developers and homeowners, as well as managing land registration maps. The market for such businesses has become an ocean of competition, however, with many private-sector surveyors offering the same services.

In addition, the company, which seeks to become a provider of digital spatial information, has been mobilizing more resources to creating a massive, pan-national, geospatial database in line with an increasingly digitalized world.

“As we build up the geospatial database, we offer a digital spatial platform to private sector players. They can then engage in commercial activities by taking advantage of our data,’’ the CEO said. “LX will create an extensive and accurate geospatial database, and make it available to the public free of charge, so everyone can make the use of it.’’

In order to raise public awareness of the importance of geospatial data, LX has organized contest in which participants can design and construct their own cities in a virtual cyberspace. The firm has also hosted conferences on the geospatial data industry over the past year, attracting academics, government officials and private-sector experts from all over the country. “These events will help transform Jeonju into a global geospatial information center. LX will continue to organize contests to attract public attention and hold academic seminars to foster the geospatial information industry here,’’ Kim said.