Government Takes Direct Role in Autonomous Vehicle

Performance Certification

- A total of 59 laws, including the Act on the Promotion of and Support for Commercialization of Autonomous Vehicles, coming into effect in March

Starting in March, the government will directly certify the performance of autonomous vehicles and expand educational support for young single-parents. The Ministry of Government Legislation (Minister Lee Wan-kyu) announced that a total of 59 statutes will come into effect in March. Some of the key details and enforcement dates of the forthcoming statutes are as follows.

Introduction of the Autonomous Vehicle Performance Certification System and Conformity Approval System (「ACT ON THE PROMOTION OF AND SUPPORT FOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES」, March 20)

Starting on March 20, the government will directly certify the safety and performance of autonomous vehicles that do not have safety standards for the shape, specifications, and performance of structures and devices. Currently, as there are no automobile safety standards for Level 4 and Level 5 autonomous vehicles, sales and operation of Level 4 and higher autonomous vehicles are restricted. In terms of autonomous driving technology, Level 5 is a level that enables full autonomous driving without driver intervention, while Level 4 is a high level of automation that enables driverless taxi operation. Once the law is implemented, automakers will be able to sell autonomous vehicles with performance certification, and buyers such as public institutions and passenger transport businesses will be able to drive them with conformity approval. The implementation of this law is expected to contribute to the growth of the autonomous vehicle industry by laying the foundation for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles and revitalizing the industrial ecosystem.

Expansion of Support for Education and Employment of Single-Parent Families (「SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY SUPPORT ACT」, March 4)

Beginning on March 4, young single-parents will be able to receive duplicate support to continue their studies. Previously, young single-parents could only receive one type of educational support of their choice, such as support for the educational expenses of elementary, middle, and high school, support for school graduation equivalency examinations, or support for educational expenses at lifelong educational establishments, but this has been revised to allow them to receive more than one type of support. In addition, in order to maintain sustainable and stable employment for single-parent families, support for them will be expanded and strengthened by requiring state or local governments to find proper occupation for single-parent families, taking into account the career aspirations, aptitudes, capabilities, and preferred occupations of mothers and children or fathers and children of single-parent families.

Crime Victims to Receive Relief Funds in Installments (「CRIME VICTIM PROTECTION ACT」, March 21)

Starting on March 21, it will be possible to pay out criminal injury relief funds in installments. In principle, the relief funds shall be paid in a lump sum, however if a crime victim or his or her bereaved family are deemed incapable of managing the relief funds due to age, disability, or illness, they may be paid in installments as decided by the Council for Relief of Criminal Injury. Additionally, improvements will be made so that even if a crime victim who applies for a disability or serious injury relief fund dies before receiving them, his or her bereaved family will still be able to receive the funds. On the other hand, when the Council for Relief of Criminal Injury exercises the right to claim compensation from the perpetrator, it will be able to request data on the perpetrator's land, buildings, cars, financial assets, etc., from the relevant authorities in order to investigate the perpetrator's solvency, enabling a thorough exercise of the right to compensation.

Establishment of the Certified Disaster Manager Qualification Scheme (「FRAMEWORK ACT ON THE MANAGEMENT OF DISASTERS AND SAFETY」, March 20)

The Certified Disaster Manager Qualification Examination will be introduced, a qualification examination that tests the ability to perform tasks such as the disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. Those who pass the examination and complete a training program set by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will be qualified as certified disaster managers. In addition, the scope of organizations that can have chief safety officers, who have overall control over disaster and safety management affairs, will be expanded from national and local governments to disaster management agencies such as public institutions and public organizations. Chief Safety Officers are responsible for initial response measures and reports of disasters or various other accidents that occur or are likely to occur, the preparation and management of risk management manuals, and education and training related to disaster and safety management.

The reasons for the enactment of the new statutes, including those stated above, can be found at the Korean Law Information Center (www.law.go.kr).

(Unofficial Translation)

“이 자료는 법제처의 보도자료를 전재하여 제공함을 알려드립니다.”