Government Expands Research Autonomous Vehicle Permits to 9 Years

Government's 2nd On-Site Regulation Improvement Plan
New Designation of Korean Version Times Square Outdoor Advertising Free Zone

Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, is reporting on work at the plenary meeting of the Planning and Finance Committee held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The government will extend the temporary operation permit period for research autonomous vehicles from the current 5 years to up to 9 years. It will also ease the minimum license number requirements for corporate taxis facing chronic management difficulties.

On the 10th, the Ministry of Economy and Finance announced these measures as part of the "Regulatory Innovation and On-site Difficulty Resolution Plan in New Industry Sectors" at the Economic Ministers' Meeting. This plan is the second set of on-site regulatory improvements following the first plan announced at the Emergency Economic Ministers' Meeting on March 13.

First, the temporary operation permit period for autonomous vehicles used for technology demonstration will be extended from 5 years to up to 9 years. Research vehicles whose permit period has already expired (70 out of the current 440 vehicles) will also be allowed to apply for an extension.

To support the creation of new businesses in the health and medical fields, AI learning pseudonymized data processing technology will be provided to small and medium hospitals and startups. For example, when developing an AI for facial fracture diagnosis using computed tomography (CT) images, only the back part of the brain is masked so that the personal facial shape cannot be reconstructed.

To expand business in eco-friendly new technology sectors, a separate management system will be established for plastic waste pyrolysis facilities. It was judged necessary to improve the perception of plastic waste pyrolysis companies being classified as waste disposal businesses and regarded as nuisance facilities. Additionally, the licensing and inspection system for hydrogen prototypes used in research and development will be simplified.

On-site regulations closely related to corporate management will also be resolved. To support the creation of a Korean version of Times Square, an outdoor advertising free display zone where digital billboards can be freely installed will be designated early in 2026. The government previously selected three areas as outdoor advertising free display zones: COEX in 2016, and last year, Myeongdong Tourist District, Gwanghwamun Square, and Haeundae Beach in Busan. This initiative aims to revitalize the "digital signage" industry.

The minimum license number for corporate taxis suffering from chronic management difficulties such as a shortage of taxi drivers will be eased. Currently, if Seoul and Busan do not meet the standard of 50 vehicles, metropolitan cities and cities 30 vehicles, and counties 10 vehicles, the business license is canceled. Minor dismantling work with low safety risks will be exempted from permits and reports to support corporate facility investment.

To resolve on-site difficulties for small business owners, the government will lower the threshold for ICT startups to participate in government R&D contests, and from 2026, after a pilot project, institutionalize a plan allowing those who complete a special education program in the projection field to perform movie screening tasks in cinemas.

Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, said, "Following the fintech and robotics regulatory innovation plan announced in March, this second regulatory innovation plan for new industries such as autonomous driving will actively identify difficulties through communication with the field and continuously prepare a series of regulatory improvement measures."