Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) has secured participation in a major highway maintenance and rehabilitation project in Türkiye, marking another step in Korea’s expansion into overseas infrastructure markets.
KEC announced on April 7 (local time) that it signed an agreement in Istanbul to take part in the large-scale overhaul project covering the Malkara–Çanakkale section. The project is valued at approximately 102 billion won (about €62 million) and involves a six-lane, 89-kilometer stretch of highway. Construction and maintenance are scheduled to run from April 2026 through 2039.
KEC’s share of the project is expected to amount to around 51 billion won. The section includes the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, the world’s longest suspension bridge with a total length of 3,563 meters, adding symbolic significance to the project.
The initiative is supported by financial backing from the Export-Import Bank of Korea and the Korea Trade Insurance Corporation, aimed at facilitating the overseas expansion of Korean infrastructure companies.
KEC also plans to support the participation of small and medium-sized Korean enterprises equipped with technologies such as high-resolution CCTV systems, promoting a collaborative overseas expansion model.
Acting President Lee Sang-jae said the combination of operational expertise and financial support has strengthened the global competitiveness of Korea’s road infrastructure capabilities. He added that the corporation aims to expand opportunities for joint overseas expansion with Korean SMEs and mid-sized firms, particularly in advanced markets such as Europe.
