On behalf of the Local Organizing Committee for the 19th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (19th ICSMGE), 
I am pleased to welcome you all to the 19th ICSMGE to be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from September 17 to 22, 2017.
The theme of the 19th ICSMGE is “Unearth the Future, Connect Beyond [  ].” It is about bridging the gaps between past and future, between young and senior engineers, and between developing and developed nations among others. Making these connections is the key to greater innovations. The logo for the 19th ICSMGE symbolizes our vision where the  colours represent how well and harmoniously living organisms, groundwater and strata coexist- the way we hope different regions can coexist in harmony- while the waves represent the Han River, which is the heart of Korea’s economic growth. 
The 19th ICSMGE will prepare various programs, including a Plenary Session, Parallel Sessions, ISSMGE Honour Lectures, iYGEC, Technical visits, and exhibitions. The Local Organizing Committee would like to invite you all and share our experiences with member societies. We are ready to reach out and listen to various and valuable voices from member societies and are willing to reflect their wishes into the program, serving as a rainbow bridge between member societies in ISSMGE and beyond.
Seoul, the 600-year old capital of the Republic of Korea, is an ineffable international city where traditional and modern cultures coexist side-by-side in perfect harmony. Seoul is home to 266 cultural properties including five grand royal palaces and is also a proud centre of the “Korean Wave” pop culture phenomenon that is adored by global citizens across borders. Foreign travelers are entitled to enjoy the city without any trouble as Seoul boasts an extensive public transportation system including convenient subways, buses and taxies serviced in four languages for foreign travelers, along with remarkably low crime rates  and friendly people.
Please join the 19th ICSMGE with your colleagues and friends. We are sure that you will have a memorable and productive conference. We look forward to having the pleasure of welcoming you all to Seoul.