MOLIT Launches Task Force on Autonomous Vehicle Accident Liability

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) launched the 'Autonomous Vehicle Accident Liability Task Force (TF)' on the 7th to clarify liability and expedite compensation for damages in preparation for the commercialization of autonomous vehicles next year. The TF was established because, although accidents involving autonomous vehicles involve a complex structure of determining liability across various parties—including manufacturers, autonomous system developers, transport platforms, and cybersecurity providers—the necessary standards and procedures for such judgments have not yet been put in place.

MOLIT will oversee the TF, with the Korea Transportation Accident Compensation and Relief Association (KARS) serving as the secretariat. Eighteen experts from the legal, engineering, insurance, and industry sectors will participate as members, aiming to establish guidelines for autonomous vehicle accident liability by the end of the year.

The guidelines are expected to systematically classify potential accident types to clarify liability, and standardize insurance processing and compensation procedures to ensure swift and fair damage compensation.

Park Jun-hyung, Director General of MOLIT's Mobility and Automobile Bureau, stated, "To greet the era of autonomous driving commercialization, it is crucial to proactively prepare for various accident liability issues that have not been predicted." He added, "Through the TF, we will establish an integrated response system that connects law, technology, and insurance, thereby creating an everyday autonomous driving environment that reassures the public."