[Asia Exclusive] "Research on Who Should Receive Autonomous Driving Licenses: AI, Humans, or Car Companies"

Lee Jumin, Chairman of the Korea Road Traffic Authority

Researching Legislation and Infrastructure Development
for AI Autonomous Driving Commercialization

Using Existing LTE Network for
Unprotected Left Turns, Pedestrian Signals,
and Digital Traffic Signal Information
Delivered in Real-Time to Autonomous Vehicles
Enabling Safe Driving

Accelerating the Establishment of Evaluation and Verification Complexes
to Ensure Compliance with Autonomous Vehicle Safety Regulations

Collaboration with Seoul City, Delivery Companies, and Labor Unions
to Expand Safety Education for Delivery and Two-Wheel Vehicles

Lee Jumin, Chairman of the Korea Road Traffic Authority, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 18th at the Korea Road Traffic Authority headquarters in Wonju, Gangwon Province. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Interview = Asia Economy Lee Kyungho, Head of Social Affairs Department, Organized by Lee Gwanju, Reporter] "If we use the commercialized 4th generation mobile communication (LTE) network, we will be able to provide autonomous driving services without incurring significant costs for infrastructure construction."

The Korea Road Traffic Authority (KoRoad) stands at the forefront of preparing for the autonomous driving era. It is conducting various research and projects for legislation and infrastructure development in preparation for the commercialization of AI autonomous driving, as well as activities to reduce and prevent traffic accidents, including driver’s license management, traffic safety education, promotion, and research. The "Joint Demonstration of Digital Traffic Signal Information Utilization" held on the 22nd in Daegu showcased the accumulated technological capabilities of the Authority. Chairman Lee Jumin of KoRoad personally rode in the demonstration vehicle. The demonstration showed that by using the LTE network to deliver digital traffic signal information in real time to autonomous vehicles, safe driving is possible based on information such as unprotected left turns and pedestrian signals, which are difficult to confirm with cameras alone.

For Chairman Lee, a recognized traffic expert, autonomous driving is a new challenge. The era of autonomous driving does not simply arrive with the development of technology. A proper licensing system, traffic accident liability, road environment, and various laws, systems, and infrastructure must be established to realize a safe commercialization era of autonomous driving. Chairman Lee is also accelerating the creation of a verification complex that can evaluate and verify whether autonomous vehicles comply with safe driving regulations under the Road Traffic Act.

Responding to the rapidly changing traffic environment due to COVID-19 is also a major mission of the Authority. With the advent of the contactless era, delivery demand has surged, leading to a sharp increase in two-wheeler and courier accidents. Since this month, the Authority has been collaborating with Seoul City, delivery companies, and labor organizations to conduct promotional activities and practical training using empty driver’s license test centers on weekends, among other efforts to address safety-vulnerable areas. Chairman Lee emphasized, "Although education cannot be enforced due to lack of legislation, many people are responding positively," adding, "Education and promotion for drivers, as well as enforcement and facilities, must all work together to prevent accidents." On the 18th, we met Chairman Lee at the KoRoad headquarters in Wonju, Gangwon Province, to discuss changes and prospects in the domestic traffic environment and measures to ensure traffic safety.

Lee Jumin, Chairman of the Korea Road Traffic Authority, is being interviewed by Asia Economy on the 18th at the Korea Road Traffic Authority headquarters in Wonju, Gangwon Province. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

- How far has autonomous driving research progressed?

▲ There are three main parts. First, when autonomous driving is realized, there will be issues such as whether the license should be given to the car, the person, or the car manufacturer, so legal grounds must be researched in advance. Next is the ethical issue. If multiple people or objects suddenly appear in front of an autonomous vehicle and braking is difficult, it could become a problem. Technical aspects also require research. It must be studied whether autonomous vehicles can guarantee safety in complex environments when mixed with regular vehicles on actual roads, and what the infrastructure standards should be. The Authority previously announced the ‘Korean-style Ethical Guidelines’ in preparation for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles. It is also conducting pilot projects to verify safe driving abilities to develop a driver’s license system and safety guidelines for autonomous vehicles.

- Traffic accidents involving two-wheeler delivery workers are increasing as delivery service usage rises.

▲ We have expanded education and promotion targeting delivery workers and two-wheeler drivers. Selected as the safety education project operator for Seoul City delivery workers in collaboration with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the Korea Platform Freelancer Labor Mutual Aid Association, and the Korea Safety Care Service Association, we conducted two-wheeler safety education for up to 500 delivery workers in the Seoul area every weekend throughout November. We are also running campaigns with delivery agencies Saenggakdaero and Woowa Brothers, which operates ‘Baedal Minjok,’ as well as food service company Chicken Plus, to establish a safe traffic culture for two-wheeler delivery workers. To prevent traffic accidents among courier workers, we signed a business agreement with CJ Logistics. Education, promotion, enforcement, and facilities must all work together. Currently, we are piloting rear license plate recognition CCTV for two-wheelers with the National Police Agency, and it seems possible to install them next year. For safety, driving habits and traffic culture that emphasize more yielding are necessary.

- Skepticism about the ‘Min-sik Law’ and ‘Safe Speed 5030’ remains.

▲ Over time, these policies seem to be settling in. Both policies aim to protect human bodies and lives. Some inconvenience due to slower speeds must be accepted to some extent. When driving with a group, I usually arrive last. (laughs) Still, thanks to these policies, accidents that could have resulted in death may now result in injuries, and those who might have been seriously hurt may be less injured. In fact, pedestrian deaths in areas where Safe Speed 5030 was applied decreased by 16.7%, from 167 last year to 139 this year. This reduction is 4.5 times greater than in areas where it was not applied. I hope this policy will help establish a culture of safe driving even if it takes a little longer. However, there may be areas where strictly maintaining 30 km/h is unnecessary. I think adjustments will be made as data accumulates. Above all, creating a traffic culture where all citizens yield and consider each other is the Authority’s task and goal.

- There are ongoing criticisms that the driver’s license test is too easy.

▲ Compared to other advanced countries, it is true that obtaining a driver’s license in Korea is relatively easy. However, making it too difficult could restrict people’s livelihoods and mobility. Changing the current system is not something the Authority can do alone; it requires policy authorities and public consensus. We are striving to cultivate high-quality drivers under the current standards. Upgrading the written test and using advanced technologies such as sensors for the maneuverability and course tests are part of this effort. We are also working to reduce regional disparities in road driving tests. Usually, four test courses operate at license test centers, but pass rates are not the same. Since differences should not exist, we check monthly to reduce disparities.

- What has been your main focus since taking office as chairman in February?

▲ Upon taking office, I presented a vision to make the Authority the ‘best professional institution in the field of traffic safety.’ To this end, we have focused on building the ‘National Traffic Safety Big Data Hub’ centered on data convergence and fusion this year. Traffic safety big data will be used as a strategic data asset in road traffic fields for accident reduction measures, infrastructure development, and traffic safety policy discovery. In June, we appointed 33 experts in five fields?big data, AI, IT services, autonomous driving and drones, and IoT-based smart traffic infrastructure?as the ‘Smart Future Transportation Advisory Group.’ This group lays the foundation for discovering new growth engines and developing preventive traffic safety policies through technical advice on rapidly changing new technologies, employee capacity building, and enhancing public services.

- What is the future of the Authority?

▲ To respond to future changes in the traffic environment, we are shifting the focus of our work from drivers to systems and infrastructure. Externally, we will strengthen our role as a policy-leading ‘think tank,’ and internally, we will operate with ethics and integrity as core values. We will also foster a healthy organizational culture where employees work enthusiastically with trust and pride through enhanced internal communication, sufficient motivation, and rewards. Lastly, we aim to create a ‘Korean Wave’ in traffic safety by strengthening international exchanges and cooperation. We will research and adopt advanced technologies and policies, and transfer our accumulated experience and know-how to countries with underdeveloped traffic safety culture and infrastructure, thereby enhancing our status as a traffic safety advanced country. This will also help domestic companies expand overseas and pioneer new markets.

▲ Born in 1962 in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province ▲ 1st class graduate of Police University, Department of Law ▲ Chief of Goseong Police Station, Gangwon Province ▲ Police Attach? at the Consulate General in New York ▲ Chief of Yeongdeungpo Police Station, Seoul ▲ Director of Foreign Affairs Intelligence Division, National Police Agency ▲ Chief of Suwon Southern Police Station, Gyeonggi Province ▲ Information Review Officer, National Police Agency ▲ Chief of Ulsan Police Agency ▲ Director of Foreign Affairs Bureau, National Police Agency ▲ Chief of Incheon Police Agency ▲ Chief of Seoul Police Agency ▲ Chairman of Korea Road Traffic Authority (since February 2021)