A Study on the Inter-Korean Industrial Standard Cooperation through ISO TC 59

Due to the prolonged division of the Korean Peninsula, the differences and heterogeneity between the two Koreas have widened significantly in various sectors, including politics, economy, culture, and industry. This growing gap highlights the urgent need to establish a systematic approach to prepare for potential inter-Korean exchanges and the eventual process of unification. Among the many areas requiring cooperation, the construction industry is expected to experience a sharp increase in demand, particularly if inter-Korean economic cooperation becomes more active and large-scale infrastructure projects are initiated. Given this context, this study aims to propose a strategic plan to facilitate inter-Korean cooperation in the construction industry, specifically through the standardization of building and civil engineering works. This will be achieved by leveraging the framework of ISO Technical Committee 59 (ISO TC 59), which focuses on construction standards. The committee’s eight subcommittees will serve as a foundational structure to systematically promote inter-Korean collaboration in construction standardization.