Bill proposed by Gangwon State Council member Park Ho-gyun

An autonomous "Masil" bus operates in Gangneung. (Yonhap)
An autonomous "Masil" bus operates in Gangneung. (Yonhap)

Gangwon State is set to lay institutional groundwork for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles ahead of the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress it is scheduled to host.

According to the Gangwon State Council on Wednesday, a full amendment to the Gangwon State Ordinance on the Operation and Support of Autonomous Vehicles has passed review by the Welfare and Construction Committee during the 348th regular session. The bill was proposed by council member Park Ho-gyun, who represents Gangneung 1.

The bill is scheduled for a final vote at a plenary session on Sept. 17.

The amendment was drafted to spell out a support system for the systematic operation and commercialization of autonomous driving pilot zones, with the aim of helping the province's autonomous driving demonstration projects settle into stable transportation services and grow into a full-fledged industry.

"With the Gangneung ITS World Congress coming up in October, interest in Gangwon's advanced transportation industry is growing," Park said, explaining the background of the bill. "Gangneung is pursuing various projects to introduce future transportation services, including autonomous driving pilot operations and demand-responsive transport demonstrations, so this is the time to build the institutional support needed to turn the demonstration experience we have accumulated into real services and industry."

Park Ho-gyun, a member of the Gangwon State Council
Park Ho-gyun, a member of the Gangwon State Council

The amendment lays out legal grounds for supporting the stable operation and expansion of autonomous driving services. It covers the establishment of autonomous driving promotion plans and changes to paid transport business plans, including extensions of permit and license periods. It also covers the construction and operation of transport platforms, public-private cooperation and support, and financial support for building autonomous driving infrastructure and for transport businesses.

"As autonomous driving demonstrations are underway in Gangneung and elsewhere across the province, it is now time to move toward connecting the technology and experience we have accumulated to actual services and industry," Park said. "I expect this amendment will serve as an institutional foundation that strengthens the continuity of autonomous driving projects and expands private-sector participation."

He added, "Particularly, this year's Gangneung ITS World Congress is an important opportunity to showcase Gangwon State's advanced transportation capabilities both at home and abroad. Even after the congress concludes, I will continue building institutional support so that its achievements carry forward and Gangneung and Gangwon State can lead the future transportation industry, including autonomous driving."


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