The Korean telematics industry is on the verge of something big. The government has launched the Telematics Information Center (TELIC) and Jeju Island telematics model city project as part of a drive to stimulate the industry. The Korea Telematics Business Association (www.kotba.org) is also working on commercial technological standardization to avoid overlapping investment. Telematics refers to the combination of telecommunications and informatics. In a nutshell, telematics is the system whereby multimedia services are delivered in-car. Such systems can provide a driver with traffic guidance and emergency alerts by using locational information and wireless telecommunication networks plus offer infotainment via the Internet to a fellow passenger. Accordingly, through telematics, automobiles will become the 'third Internet space' (the 'connected car' in IT parlance) following office and household wire and wireless telecommunication networks. By connecting home and office networks through telecommunications, Telematics can provide a seamless connection of services between the home, office and car. A strong point about telematics in Korea is that it can create a new value-added concept of service by maximizing synergy between the auto and IT industries. Nam Joong-soo, chairman of the Korea Telematics Business Association (concurrently CSO of Korea Telecom Freetel, KTF), points out that Korea in particular has an advantageous environment in which to promote telematics services, thanks to its high rates of mobile communication, Internet and automobile use. He further says in a special interview with The Korea IT Times that it can provide new marketing opportunities and profits by strengthening the auto industry's competitiveness and expects telematics will offer new business opportunities as well as development possibilities to mobile business providers whose business has plateaued. On the occasion of the Telematics Road Show 2005/Asia Telematics Joint Business Workshop to be held April 13-14 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia under the joint auspices of the Ministry of Information & Communication (MIC) and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Energy (MOCIE), Mr. Nam examines these and other issues below.