Joseonghwan, Chairman of the Autonomous Driving Industry Association, "We Will Contribute to Leading the Global Autonomous Driving Market"

Chairman Jo Seong-hwan: "Supporting Industry Players to Secure Technological Superiority and Lead Related Ecosystems"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 13th, as domestic automakers, parts manufacturers, and IT companies established the Korea Autonomous Driving Industry Association, Chairman Seonghwan Cho, who was appointed as the inaugural chairman, expressed his ambition to "lead the global autonomous driving market and contribute to enhancing public safety and convenience."

Chairman Cho stated at the Korea Autonomous Driving Industry Association's founding ceremony and Autonomous Driving Industry Innovation Forum held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, in the afternoon, "We will strengthen basic research capabilities in the autonomous driving field and support the commercialization of R&D achievements into businesses."

In his opening remarks at the founding ceremony, Chairman Cho mentioned the fierce competition among governments and companies worldwide to secure technological and business leadership in the future autonomous vehicle industry, diagnosing that "amid the rapidly changing environment, cooperation and competition beyond industry boundaries such as automakers, parts manufacturers, IT, telecommunications, platforms, and services are actively unfolding."

He continued, "Amid the turbulent global automotive industry, the association was established to support each stakeholder in Korea's future mobility industry to secure technological superiority and lead the related ecosystem," explaining the background of the Korea Autonomous Driving Industry Association's establishment.

The Korea Autonomous Driving Industry Association plans to lead communication with companies, universities, and related organizations to build the foundation of the domestic autonomous driving industry and advance technology and industry. Chairman Cho emphasized that to secure competitiveness in the autonomous driving industry, "creative innovation and convergence are needed in many areas, including vehicle technology, ICT, intelligent transportation systems, and related regulatory improvements," adding, "Going forward, the association will regularly share autonomous driving industry and technology trends based on trust among member companies and plan related policies to seek efficient business strategies."

Attending the Korea Autonomous Driving Industry Association's founding ceremony were Park Jin-gyu, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy; Hwang Seong-gyu, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport; Heo Nam-yong, President of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute; and Kwon Yong-bok, Chairman of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, among other officials.

In their congratulatory remarks, Vice Ministers Park and Hwang promised to commercialize Level 4 autonomous driving technology by 2027 and pledged full policy and institutional support for domestic companies to capture the global autonomous driving market, urging active cooperation among companies through the association.