Gwangju Launches Citywide Autonomous Vehicle Trials with 200 Self-Driving Cars; LG to Build In-Vehicle Chip Plant

Gwangju, South Korea, has recently been designated by the government as the nation’s first “autonomous driving demonstration city.” Starting in the second half of this year, more than 200 autonomous vehicles will undergo testing in real-world road environments. Meanwhile, Gwangju City has signed a memorandum of understanding with LG Innotek to attract private investment worth KRW 100 billion (approximately RMB 479 million) to expand its local factory and build a new production line for automotive application processor (AP) modules. The new facility, covering a total floor area of 97,000 square meters, is expected to be completed in December this year. Gwangju plans to use this factory as a core hub to cluster businesses specializing in automotive semiconductors, automotive electronics, and mobility solutions, driving the city’s transformation from traditional vehicle assembly toward the research, development, and manufacturing of next-generation automotive core technologies. The city will also provide policy support and resources to facilitate this strategic shift.