On July 1, 2026, the conversation around the future of autonomous vehicles in South Korea took a significant turn as Democratic Party lawmaker Song Ki-heon hosted a pivotal policy forum at the National Assembly Member's Office Building. Titled "Digital Infrastructure Policy Tasks for Safer Autonomous Driving," the event drew a diverse array of experts from the fields of mobility, autonomous driving, academia, industry, and government, all converging to tackle one of the most pressing issues facing the next generation of transportation: how to ensure that technological advances truly translate into safer roads for everyone. Song Ki-heon, representing Gangwon Wonju-eul and now in his third term, opened the session with a pointed observation. "The development of autonomous driving technology does not guarantee safety alone," he stated, according to MBN. He went on to clarify, "In complex road environments, it is difficult to fully perceive all risks with just the vehicle's sensors and artificial intelligence. Therefore, a real-time digital infrastructure connecting vehicles, road infrastructure, and users must be built together." Song's remarks set the tone for a day of frank discussion about the limitations of current approaches and the need for a more interconnected, forward-thinking strategy. The forum's central theme was the real-world necessity of V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) technology—a digital infrastructure that enables vehicles, roads, and even pedestrians to communicate in real time. Attendees widely agreed that such a system is essential if the promise of autonomous driving is to be fulfilled not just in theory but in the day-to-day safety of ordinary citizens. As reported by Wonju Newspaper, the consensus was clear: only by linking every road user through a shared digital network can the full benefits of self-driving technology be realized. The first keynote was delivered by Professor Park Man-bok of Korea National University of Transportation, who did not shy away