MOLIT Proposes Expanding AI and Autonomous Driving Transport Cooperation at APEC

[Financial News] The South Korean government proposed expanding smart mobility cooperation based on artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous driving with the member economies of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). As digital connectivity in transportation expands, it also emphasized the need for joint efforts on data protection, cybersecurity, and technical and safety standards.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) on the 22nd, a government delegation led by Park Jae-soon, director general of transport and logistics, as its chief representative attended the 12th APEC Transportation Ministers' Meeting held in Beijing, China, that day. Senior officials overseeing transportation from all 21 APEC member economies took part in the meeting.
The meeting addressed ways to digitally transform transportation and strengthen regional connectivity by using innovative technologies such as AI and autonomous driving. The development of safe, resilient transportation systems and supply chains was also discussed as a major agenda item.
At the plenary session, the South Korean delegation introduced an urban-scale autonomous-driving demonstration project covering Gwangju Metropolitan City. It also shared an example of services linking autonomous driving with demand-responsive transport (DRT).
The delegation also explained policies that apply digital technologies in transportation and logistics, including nationwide intelligent transport systems (ITS), Hi-Pass, and smart logistics using AI and automation.
The delegation stressed that as digital connectivity in transportation systems increases, data use and protection, cybersecurity, technical standards, and safety standards must be developed together. Through the APEC Smart Mobility Forum, which South Korea leads, it proposed that member economies share policy and technical experience and identify joint projects.
Baesung Kim, chair of the APEC Transportation Working Group (TPTWG), presented the working group's key achievements at the plenary session. The TPTWG coordinated the views of member economies to prepare recommendations on smart mobility and integrated and reorganized the four existing expert groups.
It also newly established the Expert Group on Transport Research (EGTR). The move was described as creating a cooperative framework to address new transportation issues by streamlining similar or overlapping functions and linking discussions on different modes of transport.
The government delegation visited the Beijing Yizhuang Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone that day. It inspected fully driverless robotaxis and autonomous buses operating on public roads and plans to draw on examples of operating systems and safety management during demonstration projects and commercialization when developing domestic policies.
Park Jae-soon, director general of MOLIT's Transport and Logistics Office, said, "The goal of digital innovation is not technology itself, but connecting innovative technologies to safe and convenient transportation services that people can experience." He added, "Alongside technological advancement, institutions and governance, including data, safety standards, and technical standards, must also advance."
[email protected] Choi Ga-young Reporter