Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 15 hrs ago
South Korea prepares for autonomous driving as safety and liability rules lag
South Korea is preparing for wider use of autonomous driving, but safety checks and rules are still developing.
The Korea Transportation Safety Authority aims to introduce formal tests of advanced driver-assistance systems by 2029.
These systems can help keep a car in its lane or maintain distance from the vehicle ahead, but crashes have occurred when drivers rely on features such as cruise control.
Tesla has applied for permission to use supervised Full Self-Driving in South Korea while drivers keep their hands off the wheel, but approval is unlikely soon because safety and security questions remain.
Responsibility for crashes is another unresolved issue: at level 3 automation, the manufacturer could be held responsible instead of the driver.
A bill setting safety duties for manufacturers in relation to level 2 systems has only been introduced, so level 3 adoption is expected to take considerable time.
South Korea is preparing for wider use of autonomous driving, but safety and liability rules remain incomplete.
Tesla has applied for government approval to use supervised Full Self-Driving, which allows driving without holding the steering wheel.
Approval is considered unlikely soon because safety and security concerns remain.
The Korea Transportation Safety Authority aims to formally introduce tests for driver-assistance functions by 2029.
At Level 3 autonomous driving, responsibility for crashes could shift from drivers to manufacturers, but related legal changes are at an early stage.
- Who
- Tesla has applied for approval, and South Korean transport authorities are preparing testing rules.
- What
- South Korea is preparing for autonomous driving while addressing safety, testing and liability rules.
- When
- The report was published on 2026-11-02. Formal testing of driver-assistance functions is targeted by 2029.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- Safety and security concerns remain, and rules on testing and responsibility for crashes are not fully developed.
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- Publication date
- 2026-11-02
- Testing target
- Formal testing of driver-assistance functions by 2029
- Crash fatality rate
- 73.5% in cited cases involving crashes while using functions such as cruise control
- Tesla application
- Government approval for supervised Full Self-Driving
- Liability
- At Level 3, crash responsibility could shift from drivers to manufacturers