Kia Autoland Visit Meeting
"Electric Vehicle Transition Direction Will Continue"
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choi Sang-mok is visiting Kia Autoland Gwangmyeong, an electric vehicle industry site, on the 21st, touring the production line.
Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance, announced that he will assess the current status of the electric vehicle industry, which is experiencing a "chasm" (a temporary demand stagnation before mass adoption), and review support measures across the entire ecosystem.
According to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance on the 23rd, Deputy Prime Minister Choi visited Kia Autoland Gwangmyeong, an electric vehicle-exclusive factory, on the 21st to hold an on-site meeting and discuss ways to strengthen competitiveness.
From the government side, directors from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Ministry of Environment attended. From the industry side, attendees included Song Ho-sung, President of Kia; Kim Dong-wook, Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company; Park Jin-won, Vice President of LG Energy Solution; Kang Nam-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Mobility Industry Association (KAMA); and Na Seung-sik, President of the Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH).
At the meeting, industry participants emphasized that "since excessive safety concerns about electric vehicles have formed, improving public perception is important," and requested "active support to overcome the electric vehicle chasm."
They particularly proposed policies such as extending the eco-friendly vehicle purchase tax benefits, which are set to expire at the end of this year, advancing charging infrastructure, establishing an integrated support system for 'used batteries,' and fostering talent for eco-friendly vehicles.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi stated, "Despite the slowdown in the electric vehicle market, the direction of transitioning to electric vehicles will continue in line with the carbon neutrality trend," adding, "Electric vehicles are the core of future mobility and a new growth engine with significant investment and job ripple effects, so we are concerned and contemplating the market slowdown with a sense of urgency."
He further mentioned, "We will closely communicate with the field and review various support measures across the ecosystem, including electric vehicle purchase benefits and investment incentives, to improve them."
Earlier, on the 4th, Deputy Prime Minister Choi visited the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Future Technology Research Institute, a site in the shipbuilding industry, to check on trends in future ship research and development.
At the on-site meeting attended by Kim Sung-jun, CEO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Shin Geon-su, CEO of Nard Marine; and Kim Jin-guk, CEO of Sunjin Enterprise, discussions were held on the importance of AI and eco-friendly talent development, tax and financial support for next-generation technology development, and expanding smart shipbuilding processes (Smart Yard).
Deputy Prime Minister Choi said, "To resolve the manpower shortage, we have established a talent development center and are significantly expanding eco-friendly and digital ship technology development while actively supporting the strengthening of shipbuilding industry competitiveness," adding, "We will strive to ensure that the shipbuilding industry continuously secures its competitiveness."
He continued, "We are carefully reviewing the proposals and are promoting various supports such as fostering high-level talent, technology development and demonstration, and financial support," adding, "We will also make every effort to resolve difficulties faced on the ground."
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