On July 1, 2026, the conversation around the future of autonomous vehicles in South Korea took a significant turn as Democratic Party lawmaker Song Ki-heon hosted a pivotal policy forum at the National Assembly Member's Office Building. Titled "Digital Infrastructure Policy Tasks for Safer Autonomous Driving," the event drew a diverse array of experts from the fields of mobility, autonomous driving, academia, industry, and government, all converging to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing the next generation of transportation: how to ensure that technological advances truly translate into safer roads for everyone.
Song Ki-heon, representing Gangwon Wonju-eul and now in his third term, opened the session with a pointed observation. "The development of autonomous driving technology does not guarantee safety alone," he stated, according to MBN. He went on to clarify, "In complex road environments, it is difficult to fully perceive all risks with just the vehicle's sensors and artificial intelligence. Therefore, a real-time digital infrastructure connecting vehicles, road infrastructure, and users must be built together." Song's remarks set the tone for a day of frank discussion about the limitations of current approaches and the need for a more interconnected, forward-thinking strategy.
The forum's central theme was the real-world necessity of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology—a digital infrastructure that enables vehicles, roads, and even pedestrians to communicate in real time. Attendees widely agreed that such a system is essential if the promise of autonomous driving is to be fulfilled not just in theory but in the day-to-day safety of ordinary citizens. As reported by Wonju Newspaper, the consensus was clear: only by linking every road user through a shared digital network can the full benefits of self-driving technology be realized.
The first keynote was delivered by Professor Park Man-bok of Korea National University of Transportation, who did not shy away from critiquing the status quo. He pointed out the limitations of the current Intelligent Transportation System (ITS), which has traditionally focused on building and maintaining physical infrastructure. "The existing ITS, centered on facility construction and maintenance, has its limits," Park asserted. He recommended that the country shift toward a "sustainable ITS ecosystem"—one that would require not just more funding from local governments but also tighter cooperation between relevant agencies.
Jung Hong-jong, head of the Korea C-ITS Industry Council, brought the audience up to speed on the last decade of progress with C-ITS (Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems) demonstrations. Cities like Daejeon, Sejong, Seoul, Jeju, Ulsan, and Gwangju have all served as living laboratories for these technologies. But Jung argued that it was time to move beyond simple communication tools. He called for a transition to an "AI convergence road infrastructure platform," one that would harness the power of artificial intelligence and cloud computing to create smarter, more adaptive roadways. "We need to move from basic communication to a platform that integrates AI and the cloud," he said, highlighting the importance of keeping pace with technological change.
One city in particular—Wonju—stood out during the discussions. Designated as an AI specialized city, Wonju is poised to become a demonstration hub for these new technologies, especially as the ITS World Congress is set to take place in nearby Gangneung this coming October. Jung suggested that this convergence of events offers a unique opportunity to showcase South Korea's leadership in the field and to test real-world applications of advanced ITS and V2X systems.
The forum was far from a mere academic exercise. During a comprehensive discussion session, participants voiced a range of concerns and ideas. Some worried that the hard-won progress of the past decade, especially in V2X demonstration projects, could be lost if there is a gap in policy support. Others stressed the need for institutional incentives to encourage automakers to participate voluntarily in the development and deployment of these technologies. Without such incentives, they warned, the private sector might not fully engage, slowing progress toward safer roads.
From the government side, Hong Bok-ui, representing the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Digital Road Team, outlined the administration's vision for the future. He revealed that by 2030, the government aims to develop an AI-based ITS cloud system—a move that could dramatically enhance the capabilities of the nation's transportation infrastructure. This system would allow for real-time data sharing and analysis, making it easier to respond to emergencies, manage traffic flow, and anticipate potential hazards before they become crises.
Song Ki-heon, who both hosted and steered the forum, made it clear that public welfare remains his top priority. "The center of autonomous driving policy must always be the life and safety of the people," he declared. Song pledged to take the insights and recommendations gathered during the event and use them as a foundation for legislative improvements and policy support at the National Assembly. "Based on today's discussions, I will prepare institutional improvements and policy support measures at the parliamentary level," he promised, according to MBN.
As the day wrapped up, it was evident that the forum had succeeded in highlighting both the challenges and the opportunities facing South Korea's autonomous driving ambitions. The need for a robust, real-time digital infrastructure—one that can connect every vehicle, road, and pedestrian—was recognized as the linchpin for progress. But so too was the importance of collaboration: between local governments, national agencies, industry leaders, and academic experts.
For those following the evolution of mobility in South Korea, the forum signaled a shift from isolated technological achievements to a more holistic, interconnected approach. With the ITS World Congress on the horizon and cities like Wonju stepping up as innovation hubs, the coming months could prove decisive in determining whether South Korea can translate its technological prowess into tangible improvements in road safety and public trust.
While challenges remain—especially in ensuring that policy keeps pace with innovation—the commitment shown by lawmakers, experts, and industry players alike offers a measure of optimism. If the recommendations from this forum are heeded, South Korea may well chart a path toward autonomous driving that is not only technologically advanced but, more importantly, genuinely safe for everyone on the road.