The Saemangeum area, thanks to its geographic location, is seen as an effective testbed for future vehicles on land or sea and in the air. (image: Jeonbuk Institute of Automotive Convergence Technology)
SEOUL, Apr. 18 (Korea Bizwire) – The Korea SMEs and Startups Agency announced on Tuesday that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with five representative agencies in Saemangeum, including the Korea Agency for Saemangeum Development and Investment (KASDI), to develop the Saemangeum area as a new hub of electric, self-driving automobiles.
The agreement also comes as part of the initiative to stimulate the local economy in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, where the Saemangeum Industrial Complex is located, and to bring about a major breakthrough in the local automobile industry.
The Saemangeum area, thanks to its geographic location, is seen as an effective testbed for future vehicles on land or sea and in the air, the agency said.
“The new hub for electric and self-driving cars in the Saemangeum area will stimulate growth among small and medium-sized firms working in innovative industries, promote balanced development among provinces, and address the fine dust problem,” said Lee Sang-jik, President of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency.
The KASDI, North Jeolla Province, the Road Traffic Authority, the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, and the Korea Land and Geospatial Informatix Corp. also participated in the agreement.
The KASDI and North Jeolla Province, by establishing the testbed for self-driving cars, will turn the Saemangeum area into a ‘Mobility Cluster’ while providing incentives for investment and lifting restrictions.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
