How the New AI Autonomous Driving Hub in Hwaseong is Shaping the Future of Mobility in 2026

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Jin Seok-beom, a candidate in the race for Hwaseong’s special-status mayor, used the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s opening of the Hwaseong AI Autonomous Driving Hub to unveil a two-track strategy to grow the future mobility sector while addressing citizens’ everyday transportation problems.

In a press release on the 22nd, Jin called the hub an important starting point for Hwaseong to become a leading future-mobility city. He said autonomous-driving services aimed at residents with limited mobility and demand-responsive transit being piloted in western neighborhoods such as Namyang-eup, Saesol-dong, Songsan-myeon and Mado-myeon will bring meaningful changes to daily life.

He warned that, despite technological progress, residents still face severe commuting congestion during peak hours, and stressed that the city must tackle current traffic challenges together with its long-term vision.

To that end, Jin proposed a two-track plan: nurture future-mobility industries like autonomous driving and, at the same time, alleviate traffic congestion in the western districts.

On the mobility front, he pledged to prioritize safety for autonomous-vehicle trials conducted in residential areas by implementing robust monitoring and control systems and strong pedestrian-protection measures, aiming to make Hwaseong’s mobility improvements tangible for residents.

On transportation, he said the city will move quickly on practical, achievable steps: advance western light-rail projects, expand commuter-focused regional bus routes, and improve road networks in chronically congested sections.

Jin concluded that Hwaseong’s tech-driven future must go hand in hand with residents’ daily lives, and vowed to pursue the city’s long-term vision while making everyday travel easier for citizens.

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